King’s House / Casa del Rey
Photo courtesy of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust
King’s House is the name given to the official residence in Jamaica of the Governor-General and, prior to the country’s independence in 1962, of its Governors. Jamaica has maintained a form of government known as a constitutional monarchy in which the Governor-General represents the Head of State.
By 1690, the first King’s House had been built in Port Royal, the island’s first major centre of commerce. In 1762, the construction of a second King’s House was completed in Spanish Town, the then administrative capital of Jamaica. This building is now referred to as Old King’s House. When the decision was taken in 1872 to relocate the country’s capital to Kingston, the third – and present day – King’s House came into being.
Situated on lands purchased in 1872 from the Anglican Diocese of Jamaica, the main building was renovated to its former charm. After this was severely damaged in the 1907 earthquake, a portion of the original structure was skillfully incorporated into the present King’s House. Heralded as one of Kingston’s architectural treasures, it is set amidst sweeping lawns and enjoys gardens which contain trees, flowers and plants from all over the world.
King’s House is the traditional venue for the swearing-in ceremonies of Prime Ministers, Ministers of Government and Judges of the High Court of Jamaica. It is the premier venue for the country’s National Honours and Awards Ceremony, and also hosts various other significant events which fall under the patronage of the Governor-General.
Throughout its history, King’s House has received numerous royal visitors and other eminent heads of state. In addition to the six state visits of Queen Elizabeth II and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, other distinguished guests include His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia (1966) and The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (in 2008).
King’s House (Casa del Rey) es el nombre otorgado a la residencia oficial en Jamaica del Gobernador General y, antes de la independencia del país en 1962, del Gobernador de la isla. Jamaica ha mantenido como forma de gobierno la monarquía constitucional en la que el Gobernador General representa al Jefe de Estado.
En 1690 se había construido la primera King’s House en Port Royal, el primer gran centro comercial de la isla. En 1762 se concluyó la construcción de una segunda King’s House en Spanish Town, la entonces capital administrativa de Jamaica. Este edificio es conocido hoy en día como la Antigua King’s House. Cuando se decidió en 1872 trasladar la capital del país a Kingston, se edificó la tercera y actual King’s House.
En terrenos adquiridos en 1872 a la Diócesis Anglicana de Jamaica, se renovó el edificio principal a su antiguo esplendor. Tras los daños causados por el terremoto de 1907, se incorporó cuidadosamente una parte de la estructura original a la actual King’s House. Considerado uno de los tesoros arquitectónicos de Kingston, está rodeado por una pradera y tiene en su interior jardines con árboles, flores y plantas de todo el mundo.
King’s House es el lugar que acoge tradicionalmente el juramento de los Primeros Ministros, Ministros y Jueces del Tribunal Supremo de Jamaica. Anualmente alberga la ceremonia de entrega de Honores y Premios Nacionales y otros muchos eventos que cuentan con el respaldo del Gobernador General.
A lo largo de la historia, King’s House ha recibido numerosas visitas reales y de eminentes Jefes de Estado. Además de las seis visitas de estado de la Reina Isabel II y su marido el Duque de Edimburgo, entre sus visitantes más ilustres se encuentran Su Majestad Imperial Haile Selassie, Emperador de Etiopia, en 1966 y el Príncipe de Gales y la Duquesa de Cornualles en 2008.
Kings House
St. Andrew
Jamaica