As a constitutional monarch, the King acts entirely on the advice of his government ministers in Tuvalu. The monarch is recognised in section 50 of the Constitution of Tuvalu, as a symbol of the unity and identity of Tuvalu. The powers and functions of the head of state are set out in Part IV of the Constitution.

As set out in section 55 of the Constitution, the King's representative in Tuvalu is the governor-general, who must be at least 50 years of age and be qualified to be elected as