Guernsey Flag

Description

The Guernsey flag is available from Flags Online in full-size and desk formats, printed on both sides and made to last outdoors.

About the Guernsey Flag

At first glance the Guernsey flag looks much like the flag of England, a red cross on a white field, but a closer look reveals a second, smaller gold cross laid over the centre of the red one. This addition is what gives Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands, a flag of its own rather than one shared with another jurisdiction.

Colours and Symbolism

The red cross on white in the Guernsey flag is the Cross of Saint George, the same design long flown across the Channel Islands and by England itself, reflecting Guernsey’s centuries-old ties to the English Crown. The smaller gold cross at the centre is a version of the cross associated with William the Conqueror, who was born in Normandy, the duchy that once included the Channel Islands. Placing William’s cross over Saint George’s cross links Guernsey to both its Norman origins and its long connection to the English monarchy, without abandoning either.

History of the Guernsey Flag

For much of its history, Guernsey simply flew the plain Cross of Saint George, the same flag used in England, since no distinct Guernsey flag existed. This became a point of confusion, as the island had no way of visually distinguishing itself from England on the same red-and-white cross. A gold cross of William the Conqueror was added to the design to create a flag unique to Guernsey, and it was formally adopted in 1985. The change gave the island a recognisable flag of its own for the first time, distinct from Jersey’s flag and from England’s.

Flying and Displaying the Flag

The Guernsey flag is flown throughout the island on public buildings, at harbours and during civic occasions such as Liberation Day on 9 May, which marks the end of German occupation in 1945. It is usually flown alongside the Union Flag, reflecting Guernsey’s status as a Crown Dependency rather than a fully independent state. Because the gold cross is small relative to the red one, care needs to be taken when the flag is reproduced at small sizes, so the central emblem does not disappear. It remains a common sight on boats, at sporting fixtures and on souvenirs sold across the island.

Guernsey Flag Sizes and Pricing

• 180 x 120cm — R860
• 22 x 15cm Desk Flag (10 units) — R800
• 10 x 15cm Desk Flag (10 units) — R650
• 90 x 60cm — R400

Material and Construction

Made from 100% polyester bunting material and digitally printed on both sides. Hemmed all around with two rows of stitching and finished with a polyester webbing heading. Rope and toggle for hoisting included.

Supplied in packs of 10. Printed on both sides onto polyester and supplied with a black plastic stick and removable base — take the base off and it doubles as a hand waving flag.

Ordering and Delivery

Every Guernsey flag is printed to order and dispatched from our Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Johannesburg branches, with courier delivery nationwide. Bulk and school orders are welcome — contact us for volume pricing on quantities of 10 or more.

Additional information