Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate The Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate was the British colonial administration in Sierra Leone from 1808 to 1961, part of the British Empire in the New Imperialism era. The Crown colony, which included the area surrounding Freetown, was established in 1808. The protectorate was established in 1896 and included the interior of what is today known as Sierra Leone. Freetown served as the capital of British West Africa from 1821 until 1874. The motto of the colony and protectorate was "Auspice Britannia liber" (Latin for "Free under the protection of Britain"). This motto was included
Queen of Sierra Leone Queen of Sierra Leone Elizabeth II was Queen of Sierra Leone from 1961 to 1971, when Sierra Leone was an independent constitutional monarchy. The Queen was also monarch of the other Commonwealth realms, including the United Kingdom. Sierra Leone became an independent realm by the Sierra Leone Independence Act 1961, which transformed the British Crown Colony of Sierra Leone into an independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The Queen was the ceremonial head of state, represented by the Governor-General of Sierra Leone, who resided in State House, which flew the Union Jack. Her formal title was "Queen of Sierra