The commonwealth realm of Malawi, known simply officially as 'Malawi', was a predecessor to modern-day Republic of Malawi and an independent state that existed between 1964 and 1966. When British rule ended in 1964, the Nyasaland Protectorate, formerly a constituent of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, was given independence as a commonwealth realm in which form the state existed until the proclamation of the Republic of Malawi came into existence on 6 July 1966. During the commonwealth realm phase, the British monarch remained head of state

Head of State

A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...

 of Malawi, and was represented in Malawi by a governor-general

Governor-General

A Governor-General, is a vice-regal person of a monarch in an independent realm or a major colonial circonscription. Depending on the political arrangement of the territory, a Governor General can be a governor of high rank, or a principal governor ranking above "ordinary" governors.- Current uses...

. The following governor-general held office in Malawi during the commonwealth realm period:

1. Sir Glyn Smallwood Jones
   Glyn Smallwood Jones
   Sir Glyn Smallwood Jones, GCMG, MBE , was a British colonial administrator in Southern Africa. He was the last governor of Nyasaland from 1961 until it achieved independence in 1964. He served as the only Governor-General of Malawi from 1964 until it became a republic in 1966...
   
    (6 July 1964 - 6 July 1966)

Hastings Banda

Hastings Banda

Hastings Kamuzu Banda was the leader of Malawi and its predecessor state, Nyasaland, from 1961 to 1994. After receiving much of his education overseas, Banda returned to his home country to speak against colonialism and advocate for independence...

 held office as prime minister

Prime minister

A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...

 (and head of government

Head of government

Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...

) of Malawi during this period.
Following the abolition of the Commonwealth Realm, he became the first President of the Republic of Malawi.

See also

• Governor-General of Malawi
• Elizabeth II
• Nyasaland Protectorate
• Hastings Banda
  Hastings Banda
  Hastings Kamuzu Banda was the leader of Malawi and its predecessor state, Nyasaland, from 1961 to 1994. After receiving much of his education overseas, Banda returned to his home country to speak against colonialism and advocate for independence...
  
  
• Sir Glyn Smallwood Jones
  Glyn Smallwood Jones
  Sir Glyn Smallwood Jones, GCMG, MBE , was a British colonial administrator in Southern Africa. He was the last governor of Nyasaland from 1961 until it achieved independence in 1964. He served as the only Governor-General of Malawi from 1964 until it became a republic in 1966...
  
  
• Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
  Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
  The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, also known as the Central African Federation , was a semi-independent state in southern Africa that existed from 1953 to the end of 1963, comprising the former self-governing colony of Southern Rhodesia and the British protectorates of Northern Rhodesia,...