At Her Majesty's pleasure (sometimes abbreviated to
Queen's pleasure or, when appropriate,
at His Majesty's pleasure or
King's pleasure) is a legal
term of art referring to the indeterminate length of service of certain appointed officials or the indeterminate sentences of some prisoners. It is based on the concept that all legitimate authority for government comes from
the Crown. Originating in the
United Kingdom, it is now used throughout the
Commonwealth realms. In realms where the monarch is represented by a
Governor-General, the phrase may be modified to be
at the Governor's pleasure, since the governor-general, governor, or lieutenant governor is the Queen's personal representative in the country, state or province.