Governor General-designate Michaelle Jean is to renounce her dual citizenship as she prepares to take up the vice-regal post.

In a brief written statement issued on Sunday, Jean said she was giving up the French citizenship she acquired when she married Jean-Pierre-Lafond, who was born in France.

The Haitian-born Jean said it would have felt "kind of strange" to remain a French national, given the duties she will be assuming, including the title of commander-in-chief of the Canadian Forces.

"In light of the responsibilities related to the function of the Governor General of Canada and commander-in-chief of the Canadian Forces, I have decided to renounce the French citizenship that I acquired for family reasons in 2004," Jean wrote in her statement.

She said that French authorities have accepted her request to give up her citizenship in that country.

Jean's decision came despite earlier assurances from a French embassy spokesperson that she wouldn't have to give up her dual citizenship to assume the post.

The Official Opposition applauded Jean's decision.

"I welcome the news. I think most Canadians do," said Conservative Deputy Leader Peter MacKay. "I think it shows Mme. Jean wants to get off on the right foot and make a good impression."

John Aimers, chairman of the Monarchist League of Canada, said Jean's move proves that she's a Canadian first.

Although the symbolism of having dual citizenship struck many Canadians as unfortunate, he said, "I think anybody who knows Mme. Jean would know that it was for family reasons, to give her daughter the advantage of dual citizenship and to support her husband. That's a natural thing in a marriage."

"But when you're going to be representing the head of state and carrying out functions in the name of Canada," added Aimers in an interview with CTV News, "any ambiguity that can be removed is only a good thing. And people will salute Mme. Jean for having done that."

After Jean accepted the appointment from Prime Minister Paul Martin, questions were raised about her status.

Under a 19th century article of the French civil code, citizenship can be stripped from anyone who takes a position in a "foreign army or public service."

But Moncef Follain, a spokesman for the French embassy, told The Canadian Press in August that there was no chance the law would be invoked in this case.

"It's an extremely theoretical process, and quite obviously there is absolutely no question, not for a second, that it could apply in the case of Madame Jean," Follain said at the time.

An accomplished broadcaster who speaks five languages, Jean's appointment to the post caused some controversy. She came under scrutiny when hardline separatists unearthed a documentary where she toasted independence.

In a written statement, Jean declared she is loyal to Canada and to Quebec, and has never belonged to any separatist organization.

When Jean becomes Governor General, she will be the first black person, the third woman and, at age 48, one of the youngest to take up the post as the Queen's representative in Canada and the country's de facto head of state.

(CTV will have live coverage of Jean's installation as the nation's 27th Governor General on Tuesday morning, beginning at 10:25 a.m. EDT.)

With a report by CTV's Rosemary Thompson in Ottawa