Chapeau to our friends in the Société Française de Vexillologie (SFV), who recently organised a great day in French vexillology. Thursday 15 February marked the 230th anniversary of the French tricolore in its present form. So the SFV’s Bertrand Valeyre invited Mme Yaël Braun-Pivet, president of the Assemblée nationale, to raise the flag in celebration. […]
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New state flag for Utah
The US state of Utah has a new state flag – but only by five votes. The flag bill now awaits the signature of the state governor before it becomes law. As reported in Flagmaster 165, the new flag features a prominent gold hexagon containing a beehive and a five-pointed Utah star. The hexagon represents […]
Coronation emblem revealed
Buckingham Palace has revealed King Charles III’s official coronation emblem, created by Sir Jony Ive. Sir Jony is famed for his innovative, sleek designs for Apple, including the iPhone, and for his LoveFrom creative collective. The coronation emblem, however, is a more traditional image. It combines the national emblems – roses, thistles, daffodils and shamrocks […]
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – 1926-2022
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 […]
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 […]
A New Flag for the House of Commons
Tuesday 11 May 2021 saw the first flying of a new flag for the House of Commons. Graham Bartram, Chief Vexillologist of the Flag Institute, designed it at the request of the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle. The flag consists of a gold parliamentary portcullis and coronet on a field of House of Commons green. The […]
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. […]
Union Flag: new official guidance
Following the publication of new official guidance, the Union flag is set to fly year round on UK Government buildings in England, Scotland and Wales. The current guidance requires only that UK Government buildings in these three countries fly the Union flag on designated days. From summer 2021, however, the Union flag will fly daily […]
More flags at UK Parliament
Flags are flying in the House of Commons precincts, an historic first that sends an ‘important message of welcome’ to all. Following a Commonwealth Day ceremony on Monday 8 March, three flagpoles now stand at ground level in New Palace Yard. The location offers much greater visibility than the existing flagpoles high on Portcullis House […]
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Flag Days
Jul
17
Wed
2024
all-day
UK: Birthday of HM The Queen
UK: Birthday of HM The Queen
Jul 17 all-day
The Birthday of HM The Queen is listed as a flag flying day by UK government guidance. The Union Flag is specified. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/designated-days-for-union-flag-flying The Birthday of HM The Queen is also listed as a flag[...]
Jul
23
Tue
2024
all-day
Historic County Flags Day
Historic County Flags Day
Jul 23 all-day
Historic County Flags Day takes place annually on 23 July, giving an opportunity for individuals and organisations to show pride in their historic county. The date commemorates the creation of the Devon Flag (2002), triggering[...]
Jul
27
Sat
2024
all-day
Norfolk Day
Norfolk Day
Jul 27 all-day
Norfolk Day takes place annually on 27 July. Local media initiated the day, first celebrated in 2018.
Jul
29
Mon
2024
all-day
Buckinghamshire Day: Inaugural P...
Buckinghamshire Day: Inaugural P...
Jul 29 all-day
Buckinghamshire Day marks the origin of the Paralympic Games. On the opening day of the London Olympics (1948), Stoke Mandeville Hospital hosted the first event ever organised for disabled athletes alongside an Olympic Games. The[...]
Aug
1
Thu
2024
all-day
Yorkshire Day: Anniversary of Ba...
Yorkshire Day: Anniversary of Ba...
Aug 1 all-day
Yorkshire Day began in 1975 as a celebration launched by the Yorkshire Ridings Society – newly formed ‘a protest movement against the local government re-organisation of 1974’ – to promote the county of Yorkshire. The[...]
Aug
15
Thu
2024
all-day
Scotland: Birthday of the Prince...
Scotland: Birthday of the Prince...
Aug 15 all-day
The birthday of the Princess Royal is an official flag flying day only in Scotland, not in the rest of the UK. https://www.gov.scot/publications/flag-flying-on-government-buildings/
Aug
22
Thu
2024
all-day
North Riding Day: Battle of the ...
North Riding Day: Battle of the ...
Aug 22 all-day
North Riding Day takes place annually on 22 August. It marks the date of the battle of the Standard (1138), when English forces defeated the Scots near Northallerton. The name of the battle derives from[...]
Aug
24
Sat
2024
all-day
East Riding Day: Birthday of Wil...
East Riding Day: Birthday of Wil...
Aug 24 all-day
East Riding Day takes place annually on 24 August. It marks the birthday of Hull-born MP William Wilberforce (1759–1833), leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade.
