Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926 – 2022 The Flag Institute is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle on the 8th September, 2022. Her Majesty’s over 70 years of service as our Queen has been inspirational and her steadfast hand at the helm of this […]
Author Archive | ChiefVexillologist
Half mast for HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
Following the very sad news of the death of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, flags will be flown at half-mast from now until, and including, the day of the funeral, unless Her Majesty The Queen issues special commands. The funeral arrangements will be announced by Buckingham Palace and published on the Royal website. […]
Half-masting for Barcelona
Following the terrorist attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils, and the tragic deaths that resulted, it is appropriate that flags should be flown at half-mast on Friday 18th August. The guidance issued by HM Government states only one day of half-masting, but in previous incidents we have had three days of half-masting, so flags could also […]
Half-masting for London Bridge
Following the terrorist attack on London Bridge and at Borough Market, and the tragic deaths that resulted, it is appropriate that flags should be flown at half-mast on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Further guidance should be issued by HM Government on Monday. In the UK you are free to fly the national flag at half-mast […]
Half-masting for Manchester
Following the explosion at the Manchester Arena, and the tragic deaths that resulted, it is appropriate that flags should be flown at half-mast on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Further guidance should be issued by HM Government on Tuesday. In the UK you are free to fly the national flag at half-mast whenever you feel it […]
In memoriam: Whitney Smith
Whitney Smith Jr. of Winchester, Massachusetts, the preeminent scholar on all aspects of the history, symbolism, and significance of flags, died on 17 November 2016. Smith was born in Arlington, Massachusetts, on 26 February 1940. He became interested in flags at the age of five and received constant encouragement from his parents, Whitney Sr. and […]
Flag Institute adopts new flag and emblem
On 18 November 2016, the Flag Institute Council, meeting in Birmingham, formally adopted a new flag and emblem. Their predecessors were designed in 1971 by the late Dr William Crampton, founder and former Director of the Flag Institute. His design incorporated a St George’s cross, representng the Institute’s founding date (23 April 1971 – St […]
Italian earthquake: national mourning
In central Italy, in the early morning of Wednesday 24 August 2016, at least 240 people were killed when a 6.2 earthquake hit the region around Accumoli, including the town of Amatrice and the village of Pescara del Tronto. At the time of writing rescue workers are still searching for survivors amidst the ruins of the houses. Obviously current efforts […]
French national mourning for Nice
In Nice, on the night of Thursday 14 July 2016, at least 84 people were killed by a lorry driver deliberately crashing into the crowds on the Promenade des Anglais, where they were gathered to celebrate Bastille Day and watch a fireworks display. Following these tragic events, the French government has announced national mourning for the […]
Staffordshire Flag vote: result
County Flags have become an important part of our regional and national identity. Most English counties have a recognised County Flag, but Staffordshire did not. The Flag Institute maintains the UK Flag Registry as a definitive record of county and community flags, and works with county organisations to come up with suitable designs. The county […]
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