Position of monarchy after UDI Rhodesian constitutional referendum, 1969

clifford dupont, officer administering government, 1965-70, president 1970-1975

on 2 december, smith wrote personal letter queen, asking accept dupont new governor-general. in response, told majesty not able entertain purported advice of kind, , has therefore been pleased direct no action shall taken upon .

under 1965 draft constitution, if queen did not appoint governor-general within fourteen days of advice being tendered prime minister, regent appointed.

in deference royal family, however, on 16 december, smith amended original plan , dupont appointed officer administering government. continue use title until declaration of republic in 1970.

consequently, legislation passed after udi enacted excellency officer administering government, representative of queen s excellent majesty, , advice , consent of parliament of rhodesia .

similarly, dupont deliver speech throne before legislative assembly, , sign bills law. opponents of udi considered illegal move, such independent member of legislative assembly ahrn palley, refused recognise dupont s office, , walked out of opening of parliament in protest.

while gibbs continued occupy government house, dupont , wife held official receptions @ governor s lodge in salisbury suburb of highlands. in 1967, on second anniversary of udi, gibbs declared vistors book open wished show loyalty queen, while dupont, in response, announced vistors book @ office, on same street, open wished show support udi.

neither queen nor british government recognised dupont representative, , while issued reprieves 2 african men sentenced hanged in 1968, smith government did not accede clemency order.