List of British flags

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Flags of the United Kingdom
English flags
Northern Irish flags
Scottish flags
Welsh flags
Royal Standards

This is a list of flags that have either been in use, or are currently used by, the United Kingdom and related territories.

Contents 1 Current national flags 1.1 United Kingdom 1.1.1 Great Britain 1.1.2 Northern Ireland 2 Ensigns 3 Royal Standards 3.1 Queen Elizabeth II 3.2 Standards & Banners of the Prince of Wales 3.3 Other members of the Royal Family 3.4 Others 4 Government 5 Church 6 Diplomatic flags 7 Channel Islands and Isle of Man (Crown Dependencies) 8 Overseas territories 9 Governors' flags 10 Counties, regions and cities 11 Local authority flags 12 Countries, states, etc. 13 Miscellaneous 14 Historical flags 14.1 National flags and ensigns 14.2 British Empire and overseas territories 14.3 Royal standards 14.3.1 Members of the Royal Family 14.3.2 Welsh Royal Standards 14.4 Battle flags 14.5 Governor's flags 14.6 Other 15 References 16 See also 17 External links

[edit] Current national flags

National and subnational flags of the United Kingdom.^[1]

[edit] United Kingdom

Flag	Date	Use	Description	Status
	1801 -	The Union Flag, popularly known as the Union Jack. Used as the flag of the United Kingdom	A superimposition of the flags of England and Scotland with the Saint Patrick's Saltire (representing Ireland)	National flag used by government

[edit] Great Britain

Flag	Date	Use	Description	Status
	c.1275 -	Flag of England, also known as the St George's Cross	A red cross on a white field	De facto national flag used mainly by the Church of England
	c.1300 -	Flag of Scotland, also known as the St Andrew's Cross, or the Saltire	A white saltire on a blue field	National flag used by Scottish Government and agencies, as well as by ordinary citizens.
	1959 -	Flag of Wales, also known as the Red Dragon or Y Ddraig Goch	A red passant dragon on a green and white field	National flag used by the Welsh Assembly Government and agencies

[edit] Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland does not currently have a de jure National flag^[2] other than the Union Flag - the banner of the former coat of arms of the Government of Northern Ireland banner; the Ulster Banner, is still in use by international sporting organisations, (eg FIFA,^[3] UEFA,^[4] and the Commonwealth Games)^[5] and can be seen in the Historical flags section.

[edit] Ensigns

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1801 -	Red Ensign, used by the Merchant Navy	A red field, with a Union Flag in the canton
	1801 -	Blue Ensign, used by some organisations or territories associated with the UK and also used by Royal Navy Captain of Merchant Navy Ship - e.g., RMS Queen Mary	A blue field, with a Union Flag in the canton
	1801 -	White Ensign, Royal Navy, usually ships bearing the prefix HMS (but see blue ensign), and the Royal Yacht Squadron	A red cross on a white field with the Union Flag in the canton
		Non Ceremonial Flag of the British Army	A red field defaced with the badge of the British Army.
	1921 -	Royal Air Force Ensign	A RAF light blue field with the Royal Air Force roundel in the fly with a Union Flag in the canton
	1931 -	Civil Air Ensign, used by civilian aircraft and at civil airports	A blue and white cross on a light blue field with the Union Flag in the canton
		Civil Jack	A Union Flag with a white border
		Air Training Corps Ensign	RAF Ensign with RAF roundel replaced by ATC badge
	1956 -	Flag of the Joint Services	A dark blue, red and light blue tricolour defaced with the Joint Service badge.
		Flag of the Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom	A fouled anchor on a crimson background
		Ensign of the Royal British Legion	A blue ensign with a yellow band across the middle with the words British Legion and the name of the branch
	1921 -	Ensign of the Royal Civil Defence	A light blue and yellow ensign defaced with the letters CD.
		Ensign of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary	A blue ensign defaced with a yellow anchor
		Ensign of the Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service	A blue ensign defaced with a horizontal yellow anchor with two wavy yellow lines beneath
	1941 - 1996	Ensign of the Royal Observer Corps	A light blue ensign defaced with the Royal Observer Corps badge.
		Sea Cadet Corps Ensign	RNR Blue Ensign with SCC badge

[edit] Royal Standards

[edit] Queen Elizabeth II

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1837 -	The Royal Standard of the United Kingdom (except Scotland)	A banner of the Queen's Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom
	c.1930 -	The Royal Standard of the United Kingdom (only Scotland)	A banner of the Queen's Arms used in Scotland, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom used in Scotland
	1952 -	Personal Flag of Queen Elizabeth II, used by the Queen in her capacity as Head of the Commonwealth	A crowned letter 'E' in gold, surrounded by a garland of gold roses on a blue background

[edit] Standards & Banners of the Prince of Wales

Flag	Date	Use	Description
		Standard of the Prince of Wales, used in England and Northern Ireland	A banner of the Coat of Arms of the Prince of Wales, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom defaced with a label of three points. In the centre on an inescutcheon, ensigned with a representation of the coronet of the Prince of Wales, the Coat of arms of Wales.
		Standard of the Prince of Wales as Duke of Cornwall	15 golden circles ("bezants") on a black field
		Standard of the Prince of Wales as Duke of Rothesay.	The Royal Standard of Scotland defaced with a label of three points.[6]
		Banner of the Prince of Wales as Duke of Rothesay	Banner of the Duke's Arms, 1st and 4th quarters representing the title of Great Steward of Scotland, the 2nd and 3rd quarters representing the title of Lord of the Isles. In the centre on an inescutcheon the arms of the heir apparent to the King of Scots
	1962 -	Banner of the Prince of Wales, used in Wales	A banner of the Coat of Arms of Wales. In the centre on an inescutcheon the coronet of the Prince of Wales

[edit] Other members of the Royal Family

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1948 -	Standard of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh	A banner of the Coat of Arms of the Duke of Edinburgh, 1st quarter representing Denmark, 2nd quarter Greece, 3rd quarter the Mountbatten family, 4th quarter Edinburgh
	2000 -	Standard of HRH Prince William of Wales	Banner of the Prince's Coat of Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a three point label, the centre label bearing an Escallop in reference to the arms of Diana, Princess of Wales
	2002 -	Standard of HRH Prince Henry of Wales	Banner of the Prince's Coat of Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a five point label, the first, centre and fifth labels bearing an Escallop in reference to the arms of Diana, Princess of Wales
	1978 -	Standard of HRH The Duke of York	Banner of the Duke's Coat of Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a three point label, the centre label bearing a blue anchor
	2006 -	Standard of HRH Princess Beatrice of York	Banner of the Princess's Coat of Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a five point label with three bees in alternating points
	2008 -	Standard of HRH Princess Eugenie of York	Banner of the Princess's Coat of Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a five point label with three thistle heads in alternating points
		Standard of HRH The Earl of Wessex	Banner of the Earl's Coat of Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a three point label, the centre label bearing a Tudor Rose
		Standard of HRH The Princess Royal	Banner of the Princess's Coat of Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a three point label, the first and third labels bearing a red cross, the centre label bearing a red heart.
	1962 -	Standard of HRH The Duke of Gloucester	Banner of the Duke's Coat of Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a five point label, the first, third and fifth labels bearing a red cross, the second and fourth labels bearing a red lion.
		Standard of HRH The Duke of Kent	Banner of the Duke's Coat of Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a five point label, the first, third and fifth labels bearing a blue anchor, the second and fourth labels bearing a red cross.
		Standard of HRH Prince Michael of Kent	Banner of the Prince's Coat of Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a five point label, the first, third and fifth labels bearing a red cross, the second and fourth labels bearing a blue anchor.
	1961 -	Standard of HRH Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy	Banner of the Princess's Coat of Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a five point label, the first and fifth labels bearing a red heart, the third label bearing a red cross, the second and fourth labels bearing a blue anchor.

[edit] Others

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1323 -	The Royal Standard of Scotland	A banner of the ancient Royal coat of arms of Scotland, now officially used in Scotland by representatives of the sovereign, including the First Minister of Scotland, (as keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland), the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Lord Lyon King of Arms and Lord-Lieutenants within their lieutenancies.[7] This flag is also used at the Royal residences of Holyrood Palace and Balmoral Castle when the sovereign is not present.
		Flag used by the Lord-Lieutenants, the sovereign's representative in the counties of the United Kingdom, except by those in Scotland. (see above).	The Union Flag, defaced with a sword, crowned.
		Standard of the Duchy of Lancaster	The Royal Standard of England, with a three point label, each containing three fleurs-de-lis
		Standard of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports	A banner of the Lord's coat of arms featuring three Lions passant guardant con-joined to these hulls, all in gold

[edit] Government

Flag	Date	Use	Description
		Ensign of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs	A Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of HM Customs and Excise
		Ensign of Her Majesty's Coastguard	A blue ensign defaced with the badge of HM Coastguard
		Ensign of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency	A blue ensign defaced with the badge of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency
		Ensign of the Commissioners of the Northern Lights	A blue ensign defaced with a lighthouse
		Northern Lighthouse Board Commissioners Flag	A White Ensign with a pre-1801 Union Flag in the canton, defaced with a blue lighthouse in the fly, is the only British flag to still use the pre-1801 Union Flag.[8] This flag is only flown from vessels with the Commissioners aboard and from the Headquarters of the NLB, in Edinburgh.
		Ensign of Trinity House	A red ensign defaced with a Trinity House Jack
		Flag of the Metropolitan Police	The Badge of the Metropolitan Police on a blue background, with white squares at the edge

[edit] Church

Flag	Date	Use	Description
		Flag of the Anglican Communion	A dark blue background with the symbol of the Anglican Communion (a compass rose surmounted by a bishop's mitre; in the centre is a cross of St. George). The Greek motto, Ἡ ἀλήθεια ἐλευθερώσει ὑμᾶς ("The truth will set you free") is a quotation from John 8:32.
	1999-	Flag used by the Church of Ireland	The flag of Saint Patrick is one of two flags authorised for use on Church of Ireland buildings and grounds. The other is that of the Anglican Communion above. [9]
		Flag of the Church of Scotland	The flag of Scotland with the burning bush in the centre.
		Flag of Westminster Abbey	Tudor arms between Tudor roses, above Edward the Confessor's arms.
		Flag of the Church in Wales	A navy blue cross with a celtic cross in the centre.
	1878 -	Standard of the Salvation Army

[edit] Diplomatic flags

Flag	Date	Use	Description
		Flag used on British Embassies (High Commissions fly the Union Flag)	A Union Flag defaced with the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom
		Flag used on British consulates	A Union Jack defaced with the Royal Crown
		Flag used onboard British consular vessels	A blue ensign with the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom

[edit] Channel Islands and Isle of Man (Crown Dependencies)

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1993 -	Flag of Alderney	A red cross on a white field (St. George's Cross) with an inescutcheon of the island's coat of arms. Alderney is part of Guernsey.
	1985 -	Flag of Guernsey	A golden cross within a red cross on a white field (St. George's Cross)
		Flag of Herm	A red cross on a white field (St. George's Cross) with the coat of arms of the island in the canton. Herm is part of Guernsey.
	1226 -	Flag of the Isle of Man	A triskelion on a red field
		Civil Ensign of the Isle of Man	A red ensign with a triskelion
	1981 -	Flag of Jersey	A red saltire on a white field defaced with the island's badge
	1938 -	Flag of Sark	A red cross on a white field (St. George's Cross) with two lions (the arms of the Plantagenet Dukes of Normandy) in the canton. Strictly speaking, this was the personal flag of the Seigneur. Sark is part of Guernsey.

[edit] Overseas territories

In 1999, the maritime flags of the British Overseas Territories were updated at the request of the Ministry of Defence. The white discs were removed from the field of the flags and each respective coat of arms was increased in size for ease of identification. As the MOD only had authority over sea flags, the Governments of the Overseas Territories were free to continue using the flags with white discs on land. The Overseas Territories' governments did switch to the updated flags over a staggered period of time, however some old-style flags with white discs may still be seen.

Flag	Date	Use	Description
		Flag used in Akrotiri and Dhekelia and Ascension Island	The Union Flag is used as no territory flag exists
	1990 -	Flag of Anguilla	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Anguilla
	1910 -	Flag of Bermuda	A red ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Bermuda
	1963 -	Flag of the British Antarctic Territory	A white ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of the British Antarctic Territory
	1990-	Flag of the British Indian Ocean Territory	A blue ensign with white wavy lines, defaced with the Coat of Arms of the British Indian Ocean Territory.
	1960 -	Flag of British Virgin Islands	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of the British Virgin Islands
	1958 -	Flag of Cayman Islands	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Cayman Islands
	1999 -	Flag of Falkland Islands	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Falkland Islands
	1982 -	Flag of Gibraltar	Two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the centre of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centred in the red band
	1921 -	Government Ensign	A British Blue Ensign with the Union Flag in the canton and the badge of Gibraltar in the fly
	1996 -	Civil Ensign	A British Red Ensign with the Union Flag in the canton and the badge of Gibraltar in the fly
	1909 -	Flag of Montserrat	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Montserrat
	1984 -	Flag of Pitcairn Island	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Pitcairn Island
	1984 -	Flag of Saint Helena	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Saint Helena
	1985 -	Flag of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
	2002 -	Flag of Tristan da Cunha, a dependency of Saint Helena	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Tristan da Cunha.
	1968 -	Flag of Turks and Caicos Islands	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of the Turks and Caicos Islands

[edit] Governors' flags

Prior to 1999, all Governors' flags had smaller discs and the outer green garland without the gold ring. Therefore the dates given do not reflect this minor, consistent change.

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1990 -	Personal flag of the Governor of Anguilla	A Union Flag defaced with the Coat of arms of Anguilla
	? -	Personal flag of the Governor of Bermuda	A Union Jack defaced with the Coat of arms of Bermuda
	1962 -	Personal flag of the Commissioner of the British Antarctic Territory	A Union Jack defaced with the Coat of arms of the British Antarctic Territory
	1990 -	Flag of the Commissioner of the British Indian Ocean Territory	A design based on the Blue Ensign with a Union Jack in the union and wavy white lines going horiontally along the field, defaced with the Coat of arms of the British Indian Ocean Territory. This flag is also used as the de facto flag of the Territory.
	1971 -	Personal flag of the Governor of the British Virgin Islands	A Union Jack defaced with the Coat of arms of the British Virgin Islands
	1971 -	Personal flag of the Governor of the Cayman Islands	A Union Jack defaced with the Coat of arms of the Cayman Islands
	1948 -	Personal flag of the Governor of the Falkland Islands	A Union Jack defaced with the Coat of arms of the Falkland Islands
	? -	Personal flag of the Governor of Gibraltar	A Union Jack defaced with the Coat of arms of Gibraltar
	? -	Personal flag of the Governor of Montserrat	A Union Jack defaced with the Coat of arms of Montserrat
	? -	Personal flag of the Governor of the Pitcairn Islands	A Union Jack defaced with the Coat of arms of the Pitcairn Islands
	? -	Personal flag of the Governor of Saint Helena (including dependencies)	A Union Jack defaced with the Coat of arms of Saint Helena
	1999 -	Personal flag of the Commissioner for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands	A Union Jack defaced with the Coat of arms of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
	2002 -	Personal flag of the Administrator of Tristan da Cunha	A Union Jack defaced with the Coat of arms of Tristan da Cunha. The Administrator is subservient to the Governor of Saint Helena
	? -	Personal flag of the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands	A Union Jack defaced with the Coat of arms of the Turks and Caicos Islands

[edit] Counties, regions and cities

Flag	Date	Use	Description
		Flag of Berkshire (private proposal)	Two horizontal bands of white over light blue, bearing, overall, a stylised image of a golden deer and oak.
	12th century	St Piran's Flag, the Flag of Cornwall[10]	A white cross on a black field
	2006 -	Flag of Derbyshire[10][11]	A green cross with a white border on a sky blue field, with a gold Tudor rose in the centre.
	2003 -	Flag of Devon, St Petroc's flag[10][12]	A white cross with a black border on a green field.
	2008 -	Flag of Dorset, The Dorset Cross alias St Wite's Cross[10][12]	A white cross with a red border on a gold field.
	1900 -	Flag of East Anglia.[10]	The arms ascribed to the Wuffingas dynasty of East Anglia, three crowns on a blue shield, superimposed on a St. George's cross.
		Flag of Essex[10]	A red field with three white, gold hilted Saxon swords or Seaxes.
	2008	Flag of Gloucestershire The Severn Cross[10][12]	The winning entry in a competition to commemorate the county's millennium.
		Flag of Huntingdonshire (unofficial)	On a green background, a gold, ribboned hunting horn - detail taken from the crest of the county arms (full achievement).
		Flag of the Isle of Wight[10]	A pale blue field with a nicked rhombus (a representation of the island's shape) and at the bottom six alternating bars wavy, navy blue and white.
		Flag of the Isles of Scilly[10]	The Scillonian Cross
		Flag of Kent[10]	A red field with the white horse of Kent in the centre.
	2008 -	Flag of Lancashire[10]	The red rose of Lancashire on a yellow field.
	2005 -	Flag of Lincolnshire[10][11]	A red cross with yellow trimming on a blue and green field, and a yellow fleur de lys in the middle of the cross.
		Flag of Mercia	A gold saltire on a blue field (Cross of St Alban); the traditional flag of the Kingdom of Mercia, still flown on Tamworth Castle.
		Flag of Middlesex[10]	A red field with three white, gold hilted Saxon swords or Seaxes under a gold Saxon crown.
	1951	Flag of Northumberland[10]	Local authority flag with use permitted to local people. Based on the St Oswald banner (below)[13].
	Interpretation of 7th century banner	Reconstructed flag of Northumbria or Bernicia	The gold and red banner attributed to King Oswald[14].
	2007 -	Flag of Orkney[15][10]	A blue Nordic cross outlined in yellow on a red field.
		Flag of the Outer Hebrides
		Flag of Pembrokeshire[10]	A yellow cross on a blue field with a variation of the red and white Tudor rose in the centre
	1969 -	Flag of Shetland[15][10]	A white Nordic cross on a light blue field
		Flag of Suffolk (private proposal)	A cross of Saint George bearing a shield of arms attributed to the martyred Saint Edmund.
		Flag of Sussex[11]	A background divided red and blue bearing six traditional golden (yellow)martlets over a stylised representation of the waves on the Sussex shoreline.
		Flag of Wessex	A gold wyvern on a red field.
File:Wiltshire flag.jpg		Flag of Wiltshire (private proposal, design under copyright)	Alternating downward angled stripes of green and white bearing a green disc within six alternating green and white sections, on which stands an image of a Great Bustard.[16]
		Flag of Yorkshire[10]	A White Rose on a blue field.

[edit] Local authority flags

Certain local authorities fly their own flags. Generally such a flag is a banner of the civic arms.

Flag	Date	Use	Description
		Flag of Aberdeen	Three White/Grey Castles on a Red Field, taken from the city's coat of arms.
		Bedfordshire County Council	Red and gold quarters split horizontally by blue and white waves and vertically with a black band containing three white shells. The red and gold quarters are from the arms of the Beauchamps, the leading family in the county after the Norman Conquest. The waves signify the River Ouse, and the shells are from the arms of the Russell Family, commemorating their services to the state and to the county.
		City of Belfast	A banner of the City's coat of arms.
File:Buckinghamshire Flag.jpg		Buckinghamshire County Council	Black and red vertical stripes with a white swan
		City of Cardiff	A banner of the City's coat of arms.
		Dorset County Council.	A commercially available banner of the county council's arms.
		City of Durham.	A red cross cross outlined in white on a black field.
		City of London	A red cross on a white field, with a red sword in the canton. A banner of the arms of the City of London Corporation
		Rutland Council	A green background strewn with golden acorns, surrounding a central golden horseshoe.

[edit] Countries, states, etc.

See Here for international flags featuring the Union Jack (Eg. Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tuvalu, British Columbia, Ontario and Hawaii)

National and regional flags incorporating the Union Flag

Anguilla | Australia | Bermuda | British Antarctic Territory | British Columbia | British Indian Ocean Territory | British Virgin Islands | Canadian Red Ensign | Cayman Islands | Cook Islands | Falkland Islands | Fiji | Hawaii | Manitoba | Montserrat | New South Wales | New Zealand | Niue | Ontario | Pitcairn Islands | Queensland | Saint Helena | South Australia | South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands | Tasmania | Tristan da Cunha | Turks and Caicos Islands | Tuvalu | Victoria | Western Australia

[edit] Miscellaneous

Flag	Date	Use	Description
		Unofficial Cornish ensign	The flag of Cornwall (a white cross on a black field), with the Union Flag in the canton.
		Flag of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution	A red cross with a blue border on a white field, with the letters RNLI in red in each quarter, defaced with a crowned anchor
	2002 -	Flag of the Commonwealth Games Federation	A white flag with the emblem of the Commonwealth Games Federation in the centre.
		Flag of the St John Ambulance Brigade
		Flag of Saint David	A gold cross on a black field

[edit] Historical flags

[edit] National flags and ensigns

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1953 - 1972	The Ulster Banner - Flag of the Former Government of Northern Ireland between (1953-1972) and still used to represent Northern Ireland in some sporting events in which Northern Ireland competes	A red cross on a white field with a red hand, on a six pointed white star, crowned (representing the six counties in Northern Ireland). The Ulster Banner ceased to be officially recognised with the passing of the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 which dissolved the Parliament of Northern Ireland.
	1606 - 1801	Flag of the Kingdom of Great Britain (From 1707)	First version of the Union Flag used in England from 1606 and Scotland from 1707 - the Flags of England and Scotland superimposed.
	1606 - 1707	Scottish Union Flag	The alternative Union Flag as often used in Scotland prior to 1707.[17][18]
	1783 - 1922	Saint Patrick's saltire, the symbol of the Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick, the British order of chivalry associated with Ireland.	A red saltire on a white field. Used to represent Ireland in the Union Flag and unofficially to represent Ireland from the Act of Union to the Anglo-Irish Treaty.
	1620 - 1707	English Red Ensign	The Red Ensign of the English Royal Navy
	1620 - 1707	English White Ensign	The White Ensign of the English Royal Navy
	1620 - 1707	English Blue Ensign	The Blue Ensign of the English Royal Navy
	- 1707	Scottish Red Ensign, used by the Royal Scottish Navy	A red ensign with the Flag of Scotland in the canton
	1707 - 1801	Red Ensign of Great Britain	The Red Ensign with the first version of the Union Flag. This was the flag flown over the United States of America prior to the American Revolution
	1707 - 1801	White Ensign of Great Britain	The White Ensign with the first version of the Union Flag
	1707 - 1801	Blue Ensign of Great Britain	The Blue Ensign with the first version of the Union Flag
	1649 - 1651	Flag of the Commonwealth of England	St. George's Cross and an Irish Harp juxtaposed.
	1651 - 1658	Flag of the Commonwealth of England	St. George's Cross and St. Andrew's cross quartered.
	1658 - 1660	Flag of The Protectorate	The 1606 Union Jack defaced with an Irish Harp.

[edit] British Empire and overseas territories

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1838 - 1967	Flag of the Colony of Aden	A blue ensign defaced with an Arab ship inside a disc
	- 1801 (Canada) - 1776 (US - defacto) - 1783 (US - dejure)	The flag of British America, part of which is now Canada and the United States	A red ensign with the first version of the Union Flag
	- 1967	Flag of Antigua and Barbuda	A blue ensign defaced with the colonial coat of arms of Antigua
	1885 - 1958	Flag of the Colony of Barbados	A Blue Ensign with an emblem of Barbados
	1958 - 1966	Flag of the Colony of Barbados	A Blue Ensign with an emblem of Barbados
	1937 - 1948	Flag of Burma	A blue ensign defaced with a peafowl inside a disc
	1922 - 1961	Flag of the British Cameroons	A blue ensign defaced with the words British Cameroon surrounded bananas all inside a white disc
	1868 - 1921	Flag of Canada	A red ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the Dominion of Canada at that time
	1921 - 1957	Flag of Canada	A red ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the Dominion of Canada at that time
	1957 - 1965	Flag of Canada	A red ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the Dominion of Canada
	1815 - 1948	Flag of Ceylon	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Ceylon
	1922 - 1960	Flag of Cyprus	A blue ensign defaced with two red lions
	1955 - 1965	Flag of Dominica	A Blue Ensign with an emblem of Dominica
	1965 - 1978	Flag of Dominica	A Blue Ensign with an emblem of Dominica
	1948 - 1999	Flag of the Falkland Islands	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of the Falkland Islands on a white disc in the fly
	1875 - 1921	Historical Government Ensign of Gibraltar	A blue ensign defaced with the badge of Gibraltar on a white disc in the fly
	1932 - 1976	Flag of Gillbert and Ellice Islands	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Gilbert and Ellice Islands
	1821 - 1957	Flag of the Colony of Gold Coast	A blue ensign defaced with an elephant and the letters GC under the feet of the elephant all inside a disc
File:Flag of British Guiana 1919-1954.gif	1919 - 1954	Flag of the British Guiana	A blue ensign defaced with a sailing ship and the motto inside an oval
	1919 - 1981	Flag of British Honduras	A blue ensign defaced with a the coat of arms of British Honduras
	1870 - 1873	Flag of Hong Kong	A blue ensign defaced with the letters HK and a royal crown in a white disc
	1876 - 1910	Flag of Hong Kong	A blue ensign defaced with the Colonial Badge of Hong Kong
	1910–1941, 1945–1959	Flag of Hong Kong	A blue ensign defaced with the Colonial Badge of Hong Kong
	1959-1997	Flag of Hong Kong	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Hong Kong in a white disc
	Late 1980s-1997	Unofficial merchant ensign of Hong Kong	A red ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Hong Kong in a white disc
	1858 - 1947	Flag of British India	A red ensign defaced with the shield of the Order of the Star of India
	1858-1947	British Indian Blue Ensign	A Blue ensign with the Star of India, used as the naval flag
	1815 - 1864	Flag of the Ionian Islands	A blue ensign defaced with the shield of the symbol of Mark the Evangelist (symbol of the Republic of Venice)
	1875 - 1906	Colonial Flag of Jamaica	A British Blue Ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of Colonial Jamaica within a white circle
	1906 - 1957	Colonial Flag of Jamaica	A British Blue Ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of Colonial Jamaica within a white circle
	1957 - 1962	Colonial Flag of Jamaica	A British Blue Ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of Colonial Jamaica within a white circle
	1962	Colonial Flag of Jamaica	A British Blue Ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of Colonial Jamaica within a white circle
	1920 - 1963	Flag of Colony of Kenya	A blue ensign defaced with a red rampant lion
	1946 - 1948	Flag of the Federated Malay States	The flag was striped horizontally with an overall 1:2 to ratio with white stripe at the top, red, yellow and black at the bottom. In the center was a white oblong, with a horizontal major axis, and a Malayan tiger (Malay: Harimau Malaya) leaping, face to the left
	1802 - 1964	Colonial Flag of Malta	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of Malta in a white disc
	1800 - 1960	Flag of the Colony of Nigeria	A blue ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of the colonial Nigeria
	1882 - 1963	Flag of North Borneo	A blue ensign defaced with the Badge of North Borneo
	1939 - 1953, 1963-1964	Flag of Northern Rhodesia	A blue ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of Northern Rhodesia
	1907 - 1953, 1963-1964	Flag of Nyasaland	A blue ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of Nyasaland
	1927-1948	Flag of the British Mandate of Palestine	A red ensign defaced with the word Palestine inside a white disc, for used by ships registered in the territory. The Union Jack was used as the general land flag of the mandate.
	1906-1949	Flag of the Territory of Papua	A blue ensing defaced with a crown and the word Papua underneath inside a white disc
	1958-1983	Flag of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla	A blue ensign defaced with the emblem of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla
	1875-1939	Flag of Saint Lucia	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of Saint Lucia
	1939-1967	Flag of Saint Lucia	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of Saint Lucia
	-1979	Flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
	1950-1960	Flag of the British Somaliland	A blue ensign defaced with the shield of arms of the British Somaliland
	1795 - 1910	Flag of Cape Colony	A blue ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of Cape Colony
	1900 - 1910	Flag of the Orange River Colony	A blue ensign defaced with a springbok antelope in a disc
	1900-1910	Flag of Transvaal - "Vierkleur".	The flag features three horizontal stripes of red, white, and blue (recalling the Dutch national flag), with a vertical green stripe at the hoist, and was known as the Vierkleur (lit. four colours).
	1910-1928	Flag of the Union of South Africa	A red ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of the Union of South Africa
	1928-1961, 1961-1994	Flag of the Union of South Africa	Variation of the flag of the Dutch East India Company at the Cape (without the VOC logo in the centre) from 1652 until 1795, with three smaller flags centred in the white stripe. The smaller flags were the Union Flag towards the hoist, the Orange Free State Vierkleur hanging vertically and the Transvaal Vierkleur towards the fly.1928-1961 Union of South Africa, 1961-1994 Republic of South Africa
	1923 - 1953	Flag of Southern Rhodesia	A blue ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of Southern Rhodesia
	1953 - 1963	Flag of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland	A blue ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
	1963-1980	Flag of Rhodesia	A light blue ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of Southern Rhodesia
	1874-1942	Flag of the British Straits Settlements	A blue ensign defaced with a white disc containing three gold crown; one for each settlement separated with a red inverted pall, which looks like an inverted Y
	1919 - 1961	Flag of Tanganyika	A red ensign defaced with the head of a giraffe in a white disc
	1889 - 1962	Colonial flag of Trinidad & Tobago	A blue ensign defaced with a circular badge depicting a ship arriving in front of a mountain
	1976 - 1978	Colonial flag of Tuvalu	A blue ensign defaced with a circular badge with a hut and the motto of Tuvalu
	1914 - 1962	Flag of Uganda	A blue ensign defaced with a Grey Crowned Crane inside a disc
	1958 - 1962	Flag of the West Indies Federation	It bore four equally-spaced narrow white stripes with a large orange-gold disc over the middle two lines in the center of the flag, undulating horizontally across a blue field representing the Caribbean Sea and the sun shining upon the waves.

[edit] Royal standards

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1198 - 1340	Royal Banner of King Richard I	Gules, three lions passant regardant in pale or.
	1340-1406	Royal Banner of King Edward III	The Coat of Arms of England quartered with the Royal Standard of France, the Fleur-de-lis representing the English claim to the French throne.
	1406 - 1603	Royal Banner of King Henry IV	The French quartering has been altered to three fleurs-de-lys.
	1603 - 1649, 1660 - 1689, 1702 - 1707	Royal Standard of the House of Stuart, used first by King James VI/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 is the first time that Ireland has been represented on the Royal Standard).
	1707 - 1714	Royal Standard of the House of Stuart, under Queen Anne after the Acts of Union	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 (English) claim to the French throne, third quarter representing Ireland.
	1814 - 1837	Royal Standard of the House of Hanover from 1814 to 1837	A banner of the Royal Coat of Arms of King George III, first and fourth quarters representing England, second quarter representing Scotland, third quarter representing Ireland, with an escutcheon for Hanover.

[edit] Members of the Royal Family

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1936 - 2002	Standard of Queen Elizabeth, consort of King George VI	The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom impaled with the Arms of the Earl of Strathmore: ("bows" and "lions")
	1910 - 1953	Standard of Queen Mary, consort of King George V	The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom impaled with the Arms of Prince Francis, Duke of Teck (the Queen's father) and Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge (the Queen's maternal grandfather)
	1901 - 1928	Standard of Queen Alexandra, consort of King Edward VII	The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom impaled with the Arms of the King of Denmark.
	1944 - 2002	Standard of Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon	The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a three point label, first and third labels bearing a Tudor rose, the second label bearing a thistle proper.
	1917 - 1981	Standard of Princess Alice of Albany	The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a five point label, the first, second, fourth and fifth labels bearing a red heart, the third label bearing a red cross.

[edit] Welsh Royal Standards

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1401 - 1416	Banner adopted by Owain Glyndŵr and thought to be derived from the counter-charged arms of the princely Houses of Mathrafal and Dinefwr. It is currently in use by the National Eisteddfod for Wales, Cymdeithas yr iaith and widely amongst independentist groups	Quarterly Or and Gules, four Lions rampant counter-charged
	c.1195 - 1378	Banner of the princely House of Aberffraw and the Kingdom of Gwynedd famously used by Llywelyn the Great, Llywelyn the Last and Owain Lawgoch. The English Prince of Wales uses a version of this flag today emblazoned with a Crown on a green shield	Quarterly Or and Gules, four Lions passant guardant counter-charged langued and armed Azur
	c.1100 - c.1400	Banner of the princely House of Mathrafal used during the early Middle Ages by the rulers of Powys, Powys Wenwynwyn and later by their heirs the de la Pole (Powysian) dynasty. Modern use is rare	Or a Lion rampant Gules langued and armed Azure
	c.1100 - c.1300	Banner of the princely House of Dinefwr and the Kingdom of Deheubarth, a realm which covered much of south Wales. The banner would have been used during the early Middle Ages and later by the Talbot dynasty who inherited the arms. Modern use is rare	Gules a Lion rampant Or, a border engrailed of the last
	c.1240 - 1282	Banner of the personal arms of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd	Argent three Lions passant Gules
	c.1160 - c.1350	Banner of Madog ap Gruffudd Maelor, and later the Banner of Powys Fadog	Argent a Lion rampant Sable langued and armed Gules

[edit] Battle flags

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	c.1400 - 1416	Banner known as the Y Ddraig Aur or "Golden Dragon" which has ancient origins. It was famously raised over Caernarvon in 1400 by Owain Glyndwr prior to his storm and seizing of the castle	Argent a dragon rampant Or

[edit] Governor's flags

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1999 -	Flag of the Governor of the Falkland Islands	A Union Jack defaced with the Coat of arms of the Falkland Islands
	1959 - 1997	Flag flown on Government House, Hong Kong and the Governor's official car during British rule	A Union Flag defaced with the then Coat of arms of Hong Kong
	1855 - 1947	Flag used by the British Governors-General, Governors, Lieutenant Governors, Chief Commissioners and other British officers in India	A Union Jack defaced with the Star of India surmounted by a Crown.
	1875 - 1948	Flag used by the British Governor of Ceylon	A Union Jack defaced with the Coat of arms of Ceylon.
	1875 - 1906	Flag of the Governor of Jamaica	A Union Flag defaced with the Badge of Colonial Jamaica
	1906 - 1957	Flag of the Governor of Jamaica	A Union Flag defaced with the Badge of Colonial Jamaica
	1957 - 1962	Flag of the Governor of Jamaica	A Union Flag defaced with the Badge of Colonial Jamaica
	1962	Flag of the Governor of Jamaica	A Union Flag defaced with the Badge of Colonial Jamaica
	? - 1973	Personal flag of the Governor of Northern Ireland	A Union Jack defaced with the Coat of arms of Northern Ireland

[edit] Other

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1600 - 1858	Flag of the English/British East India Company	Numerous white and red stripes with the St George's Cross in the canton, the number of stripes was not determined.
	1707 - 1858	Flag of the British East India Company	Numerous white and red stripes with the Union Flag of Great Britain in the canton. Accepted to be one of the inspirations for the Grand Union Flag that eventually evolved into the Flag of the United States.
	1801 - 1858	Flag of the British East India Company	Numerous white and red stripes with the Union Flag of the United Kingdom in the canton.
	1801 - 1922	Flag of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland	The Union Flag defaced with the Coat of Arms of Ireland.
	circa 1701 - post 1800	Green Ensign	An unofficial merchant navy flag consisting of a green field with an earlier version of the golden harp and the Flag of England in the canton, no record of its actual use.
	post 1800 - c.1922	Green Ensign	An unofficial merchant navy flag consisting of green field with golden harp and the Union Flag in the canton, no record of its actual use.

[edit] References

[edit] See also

• Cornish flag
• List of English flags
• List of Northern Irish flags
• List of Scottish flags
• List of Welsh flags

[edit] External links

• The Flag Institute
• World Flag Database
• Royal.gov.uk- The Union Flag
• UK Department of Culture- Ceremonial and Flag Flying

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