The second edition of the Flag Institute’s World Cup of Flags launches Friday 28 October on Twitter. Using the same groups drawn by FIFA in April, Twitter users will be able to vote for their favourite flags from those representing countries competing in the menโs football World Cup 2022 in Qatar. People will be able […]
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Robin Ashburner
We heard with great sorrow of the death of Robin Ashburner. Not only was Robin a past President and our honorary vice-President. By his ‘sheer bloody-mindedness’, he saved the FI after the sudden death of our founder, Dr William Crampton. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. A full obituary will follow in […]

Design a flag for Aberdeenshire
Design a flag for Aberdeenshire! The Aberdeen Press and Journal has launched a competition to find a flag for the county. They are looking for a design that is simple but distinctive. One rich with a symbolism that makes it unmistakably Aberdeenshire. A flag that represents the whole of the county and its people. Flag […]

Flags for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
HM Queen Elizabeth II has reigned for longer than any other British monarch and celebrates her Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Flags, of course, will play a big part in the festivities. There is no official Platinum Jubilee flag so various styles are available – including many that display the official Platinum Jubilee Emblem (shown left). […]

Flag of Ukraine
The Blue-and-Yellow and its struggle to fly. The sky blue and yellow of the flag of Ukraine have become the symbol of international solidarity with the Ukrainian people and of protest against the Russian invasion. Except in Russia and a few satellite states, the Ukrainian flag is flying widely. And its colours light up famous […]

2021 AGM & Winter Conference – eat in or takeaway
In-person meetings return on Saturday 20 November, when we gather for the 2021 AGM and Winter Conference – held from 10am to 5pm at the People’s History Museum, Manchester. Everyone is welcome at this free event but booking is essential: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/flag-institute-agm-and-winter-2021-conference-tickets-172775575397 And for the first time, flag-lovers unable to travel to Manchester can be there […]

Philip Tibbetts joins Scotland’s Lyon Court
Congratulations to our Communities Vexillologist Philip Tibbetts on his appointment as an Officer of Arms in Scotland’s Lyon Court. On 1 September Philip became March Pursuivant Extraordinary, having served as Honorary Vexillologist to the court since 2018. His new title dates back to 1515 and pertains to the Marches, i.e the modern Dumfries and Galloway […]

County flags star in Commons debate
The county flags of England, Scotland and Wales starred in the House of Commons on Thursday 22 July. To date 52 historic counties have entered a flag in the UK Flag Registry. And to celebrate Historic County Flags Day on 23 July, the flags flew together in Parliament Square, London. Among them were newcomers Herefordshire […]

Leicestershire Flag unveiled
Congratulations to Leicestershire – the latest and last of the 39 historic English counties to enter the UK Flag Register. The new Leicestershire Flag displays a cinquefoil (five-petalled flower) above a running fox on a red-and-white-zigzag background. These traditional emblems appear throughout the county – used by towns, sports clubs and organisations alike. The fox […]

John Vaughan OAM
Life member John Vaughan is celebrating today – and with good reason. In the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours List, he receives the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia ‘for service to vexillography and history preservation’. John is a renowned designer and maker of flags. He is a leading authority on flag history, meaning and […]