The Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands was formed in 1985 as separate British territory under a commissioner. It had previously been part of the Falkland Islands Dependencies. South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) is a British Overseas Territory in the southern Atlantic Ocean. It consistis of South Georgia and a chain of smaller islands known as the South Sandwich Islands. South Georgia is 165 km long and 1 to 35 km wide and is by far the largest island in the territory. The South Sandwich Islands lie about 700 km southeast of South Georgia. The territory's total land area is 3,903 km² .

The first (1985) coat of arms was:

Arms: Lozengy Azure and Argent a Pile Vert theron a Lion rampant Or holding a Torch also Or enflamed proper between in chief two Estoiles Gold

Æ See illustration in the head of this article

On 14 February 1992 it was augmented with a crest, supporters, a compartment and a motto.

The royal warrant reads:

Elizabeth R 

Elizabeth the Second, by the grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commnwealth, Defender of the Faith, to Our Right Trusty and Right Entirely Beloved Cousin  Miles Francis Stapleton, Duke  of Norfolk, Knight of Our Mosy Noble Order of the Garter, Knight Grand Cross of Our Royal Victrorian Order, Companion of Our Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Commander of Oud Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, upon whom has been conferred the Decoration of the Military Cross, Earl Marshal and Hereditary Marshal of England, Greeting!

Whereas for the greater honour abd distinction of Our Dependent Terriory of South Georgia and the South Sandswich Islands We are desirous that Armoial Ensigns shoel be assigned to that Dependent Territory

Know Ye therefore that We of Our Princely Grace and Special Favour have granted and assigned and by these Presents do grant and assign the following Armorial Ensigns for Our said Dependent Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands that is to say: - for the Arms Lozengy Azure and Argent a Pile Vert theron a Lion rampant Or holding a Torch also Or enflamed proper between in chief two Estoiles Gold  And for the Crest upon a Helm with a Wreath Argent and Azure Upon a Mountainproper of four crests each tipped Gules a Reindeer statant and at gaze proper Mantled Azure doubled Argent And for the Supporters, Dexter A Fur Seal proper  and Sinister a Macaroni Penguin proper the Compartment per pale rock and ice proper over all a Bend of Grass also proper together with this Motto LEO TERRAM PROPRIAM PROTEGAT as the same are in the painting hereunto annexed more plainly depicted to be borne for Our  said Dependent Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands on Seals, Shields, Banners, Flags or otherwise according to the Laws of Arms.

Our Will and Pleasure therefore is that you the said Miles Francis Stapleon Duke of Norfol, to whom the cognizance of matter is of this nature doth properly belong do require and command that this Our Concession and Declaration be recorded in Our College of Arms to the end that Our Officers of Arms and all other Public Functionaries whom it may concern may take full notice and have knowledge thereof in their several and respective DEpartments. And for so doing this shal be your Warrant

Given at Our Court at St, James this

Fourteenth day of February 1992 in

the Forty-girst year of Our Reign.

By Her Najesty’s Command

Douglas Hurd

Let this be recorded

     Norfolk E.M.

Commissioner’s flag 1992-‘99

Commissioner’s flag 1999-present