Royal Standard of the United Kingdom
The royal standards of the United Kingdom presently refer to either of two similar
Although almost universally called a standard, such flags when used in the United Kingdom are
The Royal Standard of the United Kingdom is flown when the Monarch is in residence in one of the royal palaces and on his car, ship, or aeroplane. It may be flown on any building, official or private, during a visit by the Monarch, if the owner or proprietor so requests. It famously replaces the
List of UK flags |
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When Queen Elizabeth II visited the United States in 1991, she was provided with a Cadillac limousine that flew both her standard and the Stars and Stripes, an acknowledgement of the "special relationship" that exists between the two nations.[3][4][5]
The Royal Standard is flown at royal residences only when the sovereign is present. If the Union Flag flies above
When the Monarch attends Parliament at the Palace of Westminster, the Royal Standard flies from Victoria Tower.[6]
Unlike the Union Flag, the Royal Standard should never be flown at
Controversy arose regarding the lack of a flag at half-mast over Buckingham Palace following the
England, Northern Ireland, Wales, the Crown dependencies and the British Overseas Territories
In
The modern Royal Standard of the United Kingdom, apart from minor changes (notably to the form of harp used to represent Ireland), dates to the reign of
Famous Royal Standards of former
Scotland
In Scotland a separate version of the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom is used, whereby the red
The Scottish version of the Royal Standard was used to cover the coffin of
Other members of the royal family also use this Scottish version when in Scotland, with the only exceptions to this protocol being the consort of a queen regnant and the heir apparent, the Duke of Rothesay, each of whom has his own individual standard.
The Royal Standard of the United Kingdom used in Scotland differs from the current, traditional
The historic Royal Standard of Scotland is used officially at Scottish royal residences, when the monarch is not in residence, and by representatives of the Crown, including the
Heir to the Throne
The direct heir to the Throne has several distinct standards and banners for use throughout the United Kingdom in representation of this position. William, Prince of Wales has five standards at use for his various roles and titles.
Standard | Title | Description |
---|---|---|
Prince of Wales | The Royal Standard of the United Kingdom, defaced with a three-point label. Superimposed is the arms of Llywelyn the Great – four quadrants, the first and fourth with a red lion on a gold field, and the second and third with a gold lion on a red field – crowned with the prince's coronet.
Used in England and Northern Ireland, this standard was created in 1917. | |
Prince of Wales | The arms of Llywelyn the Great . Superimposed is a green shield bearing the Prince's coronet.
Used in Wales, this standard was created in 1962 at the suggestion of Prince Philip. | |
Prince and Great Steward of Scotland, Lord of the Isles |
Quartered, the first and fourth a gold field defaced by a white and blue checkerboard band, the second and third a ship on a white background. Superimposed is the coat of arms of the heir apparent to the King of Scots.
Used in Scotland, this standard was created in 1974 at the suggestion of Prince Charles .
| |
Duke of Rothesay | The Royal Standard of Scotland , defaced with a three-point label in blue.
Used in Scotland, this is the ancient banner of the King of Scots.[16]
| |
Duke of Cornwall | The flag is "sable fifteen bezants Or", that is, a black field bearing fifteen gold coins.
Used in Cornwall, this is the ancient banner of the Duke of Cornwall. |
Historic
Standard | Title | Description |
---|---|---|
Prince of Wales | The Royal Standard of the United Kingdom, defaced with a three-point label. Superimposed is the coat of arms of the First World War .
|
Other members of the royal family
Other members of the royal family have personal standards of their own. These are variants of the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom (including that which is used in Scotland), defaced with a white label and either three points or pendants (for children of a sovereign), or five points (grandchildren of a sovereign). Traditionally all princes and princesses of royal blood (i.e., descendants of the sovereign) are granted arms on their 18th birthday, thus giving them a banner to fly from their residences.
The following members of the royal family have personal standards, listed according to the line of succession:
Standard | Member of the royal family | Description |
---|---|---|
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex | A three-point label, with each point charged with a red escallop taken from the arms of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales | |
Scottish Variant | ||
Prince Andrew, Duke of York | A three-point label, the second point charged with a blue anchor | |
Scottish Variant | ||
Princess Beatrice | A five-point label, the first, third and fifth points charged with a bee | |
Scottish Variant | ||
Princess Eugenie | A five-point label, the first, third and fifth points charged with a Scottish thistle | |
Scottish Variant | ||
Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh | A three-point label, the second point charged with a Tudor rose | |
Scottish Variant | ||
Princess Anne, Princess Royal | A three-point label, the first and third points charged with the Cross of St. George, the second point charged with red heart | |
Scottish Variant | ||
Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester | A five-point label, the first, third and fifth points charged with the Cross of St. George, the second and fourth points charged with a lion passant guardant | |
Scottish Variant | ||
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent | A five-point label, the first, third and fifth points charged with a blue anchor, the second and fourth points charged with the Cross of St. George | |
Scottish Variant | ||
Prince Michael of Kent | A five-point label, the first, third and fifth points charged with the Cross of St. George, the second and fourth points charged with a blue anchor | |
Scottish Variant | ||
Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy | A five-point label, the first and fifth points charged with a red heart, the second and fourth points charged with a blue anchor, the third point charged with the Cross of St. George | |
Scottish Variant |
Consorts of the British monarch
Queens consort of the British monarch are granted arms based on the Royal Standard and their own personal arms from before their marriage, or the arms of their family. In Scotland, a queen consort will use the Scottish version of the Royal Standard. They do not have different standards for the Commonwealth realms that have their own Royal Standards.
Consorts of a queen regnant are not granted use of the British Royal Standard. They use standards based on their own family arms. However, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha used a standard of the royal arms (with a label for difference) quartered with his own family arms.
Standard | Consort | Details |
---|---|---|
Queen Camilla Consort of Charles III (2022–present) |
The Royal Standard, impaled with the arms of her father, Bruce Shand. | |
Scottish variant | ||
Prince Philip Consort of Elizabeth II (1952–2021) |
The Standard is based on his Greek and Danish roots. The flag is divided into four quarters:
The first quarter, representing Denmark, consists of three blue lions passant and nine red hearts on a yellow field. The second quarter, representing Greece, consists of a white cross on a blue field. The third quarter, representing the duke's surname, Mountbatten , contains five black and white vertical stripes. The fourth quarter, which alludes to his title as Duke of Edinburgh, includes a black and red castle, which is also part of the city of Edinburgh's arms.
| |
George VI (1936–2002) |
The Royal Standard, impaled with the arms of her father, Claude Bowes-Lyon, Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne. | |
Scottish variant | ||
George V (1910–1953) |
The Royal Standard, impaled with the arms of her father, Francis, Duke of Teck, quartered with the Hanoverian coat of arms as used by her grandfather, Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge. | |
Scottish variant | ||
Edward VII (1901–1925) |
The Royal Standard, impaled with the royal coat of arms of Denmark. | |
Scottish variant | ||
Prince Albert Consort of Victoria (1840–1861) |
The Royal Standard defaced with a three-point label (with the second point charged with the Cross of St. George), quartered with the arms of Saxony. | |
William IV (1830–1849) |
The Royal Standard from 1816 to 1837, impaled with the arms of her father, Duke Georg I of Saxe-Meiningen .
| |
Queen Caroline Consort of George IV (1820–1821) |
The Royal Standard from 1816 to 1837, impaled with the arms of her father, Duke of Brunswick .
| |
Queen Charlotte Consort of George III (1761–1818) |
The Royal Standard from 1816 to 1837, impaled with the arms of her father, Duke Charles Louis Frederick of Mecklenburg-Strelitz .
| |
The Royal Standard from 1801 to 1816, impaled with the arms of her father, Duke Charles Louis Frederick of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. | ||
The Royal Standard from 1714 to 1801, impaled with the arms of her father, Duke Charles Louis Frederick of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. | ||
Queen Caroline Consort of George II (1727–1737) |
The Royal Standard from 1714 to 1801, impaled with the arms of her father, John Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach. |
Recent historical royal standards
Standard | Member of the royal family | Description |
---|---|---|
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge | A three-point label, signifying a direct heir to the throne, the second point charged with a red escallop taken from the arms of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. | |
Scottish Variant | ||
Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh | A three-point label, the first and third points charged with the Cross of St. George, the second point charged with a Tudor rose. | |
Scottish variant | ||
Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon | A three-point label, the first and third points charged with a Tudor Rose, the second point charged with a Scottish thistle. | |
Scottish variant | ||
Philip, Duke of Edinburgh | The Royal Standard, impaled with the arms of his wife, Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh | |
Prince Albert, Duke of York | A three-point label, the second point charged with a blue anchor | |
Scottish variant | ||
Princess Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood | A three-point label, the first, second and third points charged with the Cross of St. George. | |
Scottish variant | ||
Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester | A three-point label, the first and third points charged with the Cross of St. George, the second point charged with a lion passant guardant. | |
Scottish variant | ||
Prince George, Duke of Kent | A three-point label, the first, second and third points charged with a blue anchor. | |
Scottish variant | ||
Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone | A five-point label, the first, second, fourth and fifth points charged with a red heart, the third point charged with the Cross of St. George. | |
Scottish variant | ||
Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor | A three-point label, the second point charged with the Crown of Saint Edward. | |
Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn | A three-point label, the first and third points charged with fleurs-de-lis, the second point charged with the Cross of St. George. Superimposed is the coat of arms of the Royal House of Saxony. | |
Scottish variant | ||
A three-point label, the first and third points charged with fleurs-de-lis, the second point charged with the Cross of St. George. | ||
Scottish variant | ||
Prince Arthur | A five-point label, the first, third and fifth points charged with the Cross of St. George, the second and fourth points charged with fleurs-de-lis. Superimposed is the coat of arms of the Royal House of Saxony. | |
Scottish variant | ||
A five-point label, the first, third and fifth points charged with the Cross of St. George, the second and fourth points charged with fleurs-de-lis. | ||
Scottish variant |
Royal standards 1198–1837
Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1198 – 1340 | Royal Banner of King Richard I | Gules three lions passant guardant in pale Or armed and langued Azure,[17][18] meaning three gold lions with blue tongues and claws, walking and facing the observer, arranged in a column on a red background. It forms the first and fourth quarters of the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom. | |
1340 – 1395 1399 – 1406 |
Royal Banner of King Edward III | The Coat of Arms of England quartered with the Royal Standard of France, the fleurs-de-lis representing the English claim to the French throne.
| |
1395 – 1399 | Royal Banner of King Richard II | The Coat of Arms of England impaled with attributed Arms of King Edward The Confessor (symbolising mystical union). | |
1406 – 1422 1461 – 1470 1471 – 1554 1558 – 1603 |
Royal Banner of Queen Elizabeth I |
The French quartering has been altered to three fleurs-de-lis. | |
1422 – 1461 1470 – 1471 |
Royal Banner of King Henry VI | The Coat of Arms of France impaled with the Coat of Arms of England. | |
1554 – 1558 | Royal Banner of Queen Mary I | The Coat of Arms of Habsburg Spain impaled with the Coat of Arms of England. | |
1603 – 1689 1702 – 1707 |
Royal Standard of the House of Stuart, used first by James VI and I | A banner of the Royal Coat of Arms of James I, first and fourth quarters representing England and the English claim to the French throne, second quarter representing Scotland, third quarter representing Ireland. This was the last royal banner of the Kingdom of England. | |
1689–1694 | Royal Standard of Queen Mary II |
A banner of the joint Royal Coat of Arms of William III and Mary II, consisting of the Coat of Arms of England defaced with an inescutcheon for the House of Nassau (representing William) and impaled with another undefaced version of the same Coat of Arms (representing Mary). | |
1694–1702 | Royal Standard of King William III and II | A banner of the Royal Coat of Arms of William III, first and fourth quarters representing England and the English claim to the French throne, second quarter representing Scotland, third quarter representing Ireland, with an inescutcheon for the House of Nassau. | |
1707–1714 | Royal Standard of Queen Anne, after the Acts of Union 1707 | A banner of the Royal Coat of Arms of Queen Anne, first and fourth quarters representing (newly unified) England and Scotland, second quarter representing the British claim to the French throne, third quarter representing Ireland. | |
1714–1801 | Royal Standard of the House of Hanover, first used by King George I | A banner of the Royal Coat of Arms of Great Britain, first quarter representing England and Scotland, second quarter representing the British claim to the French throne, third quarter representing Ireland, fourth quarter representing the Electorate of Hanover. | |
1801–1816 | Royal Standard of the House of Hanover, used by King George III |
A banner of the Royal Arms from the creation of the United Kingdom on 1 January 1801; first and fourth quarters for England and Wales, second Scotland, third Ireland, with an inescutcheon for the Electorate of Hanover. | |
1816–1837 | Royal Standard of the House of Hanover, first used by King George III | The Royal Arms after Hanover had become a kingdom. |
Others
Other members of the royal family may use the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom, but within an ermine border (a white border with black "tails" representing the ermine fur). This standard is mainly used for the wives of British princes, or members of the royal family who have not yet been granted their own arms. Diana, Princess of Wales, and , Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, had this standard draped over their coffins at their funerals.[20][21]
Uses of Standards
The Royal Standard is reserved only for the monarch, and is the most used. Most famously it signals the
In some situations, personal standards are displayed within the UK, such as within St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh (site of the Chapel of the Order of the Thistle), and St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle home of Banners of Knights of the Order of the Garter,[26][27][28] at the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant Prince Andrew's standard flew from MV Havengore.[29] However, the use of personal standards of other members of the royal family varies in frequency. Prior to his accession, the then-Prince of Wales flew his standard at Clarence House in the same way the Royal Standard is used over Buckingham Palace, but other members of the family tend not to fly theirs from their respective residences (though this may be due to the fact that many share official London Residences, as is the case at Kensington Palace).
Family members also do not use their standards on road vehicles, either privately or during official engagements (when more discreet cars are used, such as
Personal Standards have been used to cover the coffins of
.Position of Honour
According to the
See also
- Banners of the members of Knights of the Garter
- Flags of the English Interregnum
- Flags of Elizabeth II
- Royal standards of Canada
- Royal Standards
References
- ^ a b "Rules for hoisting flags on buildings of the Scottish Government" (PDF). gov.scot. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- ^ a b "Royal Standard". The Royal Household. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
- ^ "Outbound State Visits Since 1952" (PDF). The Royal Household. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- ^ deWitt, Karen (17 May 1991). "Queen's Address to Congress Celebrates Mutual Respect". The New York Times. p. A10. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- ^ Shelley, John (14 May 1991). "Queen Elizabeth II makes a state visit to the United States of America, Visiting Marshall Heights, Washington DC suburb, 14th May 1991". Getty Images. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
- ^ "The Victoria Tower". Parliament.UK. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
- ^ Windsor, Edward, Duke of (1951). A King's Story: The memoirs of the Duke of Windsor. New York: Putnam. p. 72.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Blair Defends Royal Family Against Criticism". BBC News. 4 September 1997. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
- ^ "Flags at half mast for Diana". BBC News. 23 July 1998. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ "Crowds Grieve for Queen Mother". BBC News. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
- ^ "London bombings toll rises to 37". BBC News. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
- ^ "Media Factsheet: Queen Elizabeth II's State Visit to Ireland". Discover Ireland. 17 May 2011. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
- ^ "Thousands line Edinburgh's streets to see Queen's coffin". BBC News. 12 September 2022.
- ^ "Days for Hoisting Flags on Buildings of the Scottish Government 2010" (PDF). Scottish Government. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
- ^ "Lyon King of Arms Act 1672". The National Archives. 8 January 1995.
- ^ Griffith, John (4 August 2003). "Standard of the Duke of Rothesay and Lord of the Isles for Scotland". Flags of the World. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
- ^ Fox-Davies, Arthur Charles (1909). A Complete Guide to Heraldry. London: T.C. & E.C. Jack. p. 607.
- ^ "Coat of Arms of King George III". The First Foot Guards. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
- ^ "British Flags - Royal and vice-regal flags". World Flag Database. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
- ^ "Final Royal farewell to princess". BBC News. 5 November 2004. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
- ^ "Funeral for Princess Alice". Getty Images. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
- ^ "The Coat of Arms of HRH The Duchess of Cornwall". College of Arms. 17 July 2005. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
- ^ Mbiyu, David (3 June 2012). "Diamond Jubilee flotilla adds color on the Thames". Demotix.com. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
- ^ "91: Standards, Flags and Colours". The Queen's Regulations for the Royal Navy (PDF) (3 ed.). UK Ministry of Defence. April 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
The Royal Standard, being the personal flag of the Sovereign, is to be hoisted on board HM ships and on official buildings and enclosures only when The Sovereign is present. It is to be hauled down at the moment of departure.
- ^ Prothero, David (12 April 2007). "British Royal Flags, Reign of Edward VII: Proposal for a Personal Royal Standard of King Edward VII". Flags of the World. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
- ^ "Prince William and St George's Chapel". College of St. George. Archived from the original on 28 December 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
- ^ "Tour: The Quire". College of St. George. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
- ^ "Gallery of Wanamaker Flags". Flag Heritage Foundation. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
- ^ "Diamond Jubilee: Thames River Pageant". Zimbio.com. 2 June 2012. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
- ^ "Pomp and ceremony for Amir of Kuwait". The Daily Telegraph. London. 29 November 2012. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2013 – via YouTube.
- ^ kenjonbro (23 November 2011). "Bentley State Limousine". Flickr. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
- ^ "A Brush With Royal-tea! Prince of Wales: A Tea Review I". Alice and the teacup. 17 November 2012. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
- ^ Campion, Vikki; Matheson, Melissa (9 November 2012). "Foul weather follows Prince Charles and Camilla". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
- ^ "The Prince Of Wales And Duchess Of Cornwall Visit Australia - Day 5". Getty Images. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
- ^ "William and Kate jet off on Canada trip". BBC News. 1 July 2012. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
- ^ "Magic moments from William and Kate's headline-making tropical tour". Hello!. 19 September 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
- ^ "Princess's coffin moved to Windsor". BBC News. 14 February 2002. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
- ^ "Princess Margaret Funeral". Getty Images. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
- ^ "UK Flag Protocol: Appendix B Precedence of Flags". Flag Institute. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
Further reading
- Davies, Norman (1999). The Isles: A History. Palgrave Macmillan.