Former Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke (right), signals the audience to stand in recognition of new Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall. The occasion was the installation ceremony of the Governor-General, held at King's House on February 15. - Ian Allen Staff/Photographer

Professor Kenneth Hall, former pro-vice chancellor and principal of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, was on February 15 installed as the fifth Governor-General of Jamaica, during a lavish ceremony at King's House, St. Andrew.

Hall succeeded Sir Howard Cooke, who served as Governor-General for almost 15 years. The new G-G was joined at King's House by his wife, Rheima Holding-Hall, former senior research fellow at the Alister McIntyre Centre, UWI.

"This is both humbling and an uplifting experience," Professor Hall said at his inauguration ceremony. In a well-crafted speech, the newly-installed head of state, who is from Hanover, confessed that he never dreamt that he would someday ascend to that office, noting that such honours were once thought the exclusive domain of the elite.

- Robert Lalah