Flag of the United Kingdom

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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland uses as its national flag the Royal Banner commonly known as the Union Flag or, popularly, Union Jack (although officially this title should only be given to the flag when its flown at sea). The current design of the Union Flag dates from the union of Ireland and Great Britain in 1801. It consists of the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England), edged in white, superimposed on the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which are superimposed on the Saltire of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland). Its correct proportions are 1:2. However, the version officially used by the British Army modifies the proportions to 3:5. While appearing symmetric, the flag is slightly different if flipped, as a mirror image. The flag can be placed upside down, if it is mirrored, but rotating it 180 degrees will have no change. Placing the flag upside down is considered to be lèse majesté and is offensive to some [1], however it can be deliberately flown upside down by the military as a distress signal. While this is rarely done these days it was used by groups under siege during the Boer War and during campaigns in India in the late 18th century.

The history, current status, and nomenclature of the Union Flag, and its use other than as a flag for the United Kingdom (for example, in Australia), are treated more fully under the article Union Flag.

[edit] Flag days

Currently the flag is flown on days marking the birthdays of members of the Royal family, the wedding anniversary of the monarch, Commonwealth Day, Accession Day, Coronation Day, The Queen's official birthday, Remembrance Sunday and on the days of the State Opening and prorogation of Parliament. On the news of the death of a member of the Royal family, the flag will be flown at half mast.

The flag is only flown on public buildings as decided by Department for Culture, Media and Sport or on the command of the British monarch.

The current flag days when the Union Flag should be flown all over the UK are:

• 20 January: Birthday of Sophie, The Countess of Wessex
• 6 February: Anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II
• 19 February: Birthday of Prince Andrew, Duke of York
• Second Sunday in March: Commonwealth Day
• 10 March: Birthday of Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
• 21 April: Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II
• 9 May: Europe Day
• 2 June: Anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
• 10 June: Birthday of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
• June (no fixed date): Official Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II
• 17 July: Birthday of Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall
• 15 August: Birthday of Anne, Princess Royal
• Second Sunday in November: Remembrance Sunday
• 14 November: Birthday of Charles, Prince of Wales
• 20 November: Anniversary of the wedding of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip

In addition, the flag should be flown in the following areas on the specified days:

• 1 March: (Wales only for Saint David's Day)
• 23 April: (England only for Saint George's Day)
• 30 November: (Scotland only for Saint Andrew's Day)
• The Day of the Opening of a Session of the Houses of Parliament (Greater London area only)
• The day of the prorogation of a Session of the Houses of Parliament (Greater London area only)

There is no specified day for Saint Patrick's Day (traditionally celebrated on 17 March) in Northern Ireland.

[edit] See also

• Union Flag
• Gallery of flags based on British ensigns
• List of British flags - a list of flags used within the United Kingdom, the Crown Dependancies and the British overseas territories.
• List of English flags - a list of flags used within England
• List of Scottish flags- a list of flags used within Scotland
• List of Welsh flags- a list of flags used within Wales
• List of Irish flags- a list of flags used within Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
• Flag Institute

[edit] External links

• Court of the Lord Lyon, Flags
• British Monarchy - Union Flag
• The Flag Institute

Flags of the United Kingdom
UK	National flag (Union Flag) | Royal Standard
Home Nations	England | Scotland | Northern Ireland | Wales
Ensigns	Blue Ensign | Red Ensign | White Ensign | Royal Air Force Ensign

National flags	National coats of arms
Flags of sovereign states	Coats of arms of sovereign states
Flags of dependent territories	Coats of arms of dependent territories
Flags of unrecognized states	Coats of arms of unrecognized states
Flags of micronations	Coats of arms of micronations
Flags of formerly independent states