The flag of the British Indian Ocean Territory is similar to the flags of other British dependencies and colonies as it has the Union Flag in the upper hoist-side corner. The palm tree and crown are symbols of the territory. The flag was initially intended to be used by the commissioner for the British Indian Ocean Territory but has gained semi-official status as a territorial flag for use on land.
Design
The flag contains the Union Flag in its canton (upper hoist quarter). It depicts the waters of the Indian Ocean, where the islands are located, in the form of white and blue wavy lines. The flag also depicts a palm tree rising above the Tudor Crown.
The coat of arms of the British Indian Ocean Territory also bears the territory's flag. It is that of the commissioner for the British Indian Ocean Territory and has only semi-official status as a territorial flag. It was designed for the commissioner, who is based at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London.
In 2006, Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia, the main US Navy base in the territory (on the main island Diego Garcia), featured the flag in a promotional video. In one scene, the flag is shown flying on land within the base. Chagos Islanders within the United Kingdom used the flag of the British Indian Ocean Territory to protest against the proposed transfer and expressed a desire for it to remain British with a referendum on self-determination.
Originally the crown on the flag was depicted as St Edward's Crown. Between 25 February and 22 March 2026 the BIOT government's website changed to a new illustration which used the Tudor Crown.
Other images
See also
- Coat of arms of the British Indian Ocean Territory