The building was constructed in 1964 to replace the older Government House in George Town (the older Government House burned down in 1972). Today's Government House was built specifically as the official residence for the governors of the Cayman Islands. Today, Government House is also used for national and ceremonial events, as well as for receptions and meetings with foreign dignitaries and heads of state. Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom (along with her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh) visited and stayed at Government House twice in her capacity as then Head of State of the Cayman Islands.