The Governor of Bermuda is the representative of the British monarch in the British overseas territory of Bermuda. The Governor is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the British government. The role of the Governor is to act as the de facto head of state, and he or she is responsible for appointing the Premier and the 11 members of the Senate (the upper house of Bermuda's Parliament). Prior to August 2016, the governor was George Fergusson, who was sworn in on 23 May 2012. The Governor has his own flag in Bermuda, a Union Flag defaced with the territory's coat of arms.