Flag of Guernsey

What the flag looks like

A white field with the red cross of St George, with a smaller gold cross with flared ends laid over it.

What it means

The red cross reflects the island's ties to the English Crown, and the gold cross comes from the banner of William the Conqueror, recalling its history as part of the Duchy of Normandy.

How to remember it

Guernsey is England's red cross with a gold cross laid on top of it, William the Conqueror riding on St George.

Fun facts

• Before 1985 Guernsey flew a plain St George's cross; the gold cross was added to tell it apart from England's flag.
• Victor Hugo wrote much of Les Misérables while in exile on Guernsey.

Guernsey at a glance

Status

Self-governing British Crown Dependency

Head of state

King Charles III, as Duke of Normandy

Capital

Saint Peter Port

Region

Crown Dependency

Population

63,950

Area

62 km²

Languages

English, French

Currency

British pound (£)

Flag adopted

1985

Flags often confused with Guernsey

• England: England and Guernsey are both a red St George's cross on white. England's flag is plain; Guernsey lays a smaller gold cross over the red one.
• Jersey: Guernsey and Jersey are both white with a red cross and a gold emblem. Guernsey's red cross is upright with a gold cross laid over it; Jersey's is a diagonal X with a crowned red shield at the top.
• Georgia: Georgia and Guernsey both add smaller crosses to a red cross on white. Georgia has four small red crosses in the corners; Guernsey has a single gold cross laid over the center.
• Alderney: Guernsey and Alderney both lay an emblem over the red cross of St George. Guernsey has a gold cross across the whole flag; Alderney has a green disc with a lion at the center.
• Sark: Guernsey and Sark both decorate the cross of St George with gold. Guernsey has a gold cross over the red one; Sark has two gold lions in a red upper-hoist corner.