Union Jack
The Union Flag, commonly referred to as the Union Jack, is the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, symbolizing the union of England, Scotland, and Ireland under one sovereign.[1][2] It consists of the red cross of Saint George (patron of England) superimposed on the diagonal white saltire of Saint Andrew (patron of Scotland) and the red saltire of Saint Patrick (patron of Ireland), all outlined in white and set against a dark blue field representing the old Royal Navy ensign color.[2][3] The flag's design evolved in stages, beginning with the first Union Flag in 1606 under King James VI and I to represent the union of the crowns of England and Scotland, combining their respective crosses.[4][5] This version was updated in 1707 following the Acts of Union creating Great Britain, though the design remained largely the same until 1801, when the red saltire of Saint Patrick was added after the union with Ireland, forming the present configuration.[4][5] The term "Union Jack" originated from its use as a small flag flown from the jackstaff on British warships, but authoritative sources confirm both names are acceptable for the flag in all contexts today.[6] As a potent emblem of British history, the Union Flag has flown over naval victories, colonial expansions, and global influence, embodying the constitutional monarchy and parliamentary tradition of the UK while evoking both pride and debate over imperial legacies in contemporary discourse.[4] Its proportions and orientation rules—such as flying with the broader white diagonal uppermost in the hoist—ensure proper display, reflecting vexillological precision rooted in royal proclamations.[3]Terminology
Official Name and Usage
The national flag of the United Kingdom is officially designated as the Union Flag.[2] It derives its name from the union of the crowns of England and Scotland in 1606, with subsequent incorporation of Ireland's cross in 1801 to reflect the political unions forming the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (later Great Britain and Northern Ireland).[2] The term "Union Jack" originated in naval contexts, specifically referring to the flag flown from the jackstaff—a short staff at the bow of Royal Navy vessels—dating back to at least 1634 in Admiralty records, and formalized around 1674 for warships not in harbor.[6] Despite the technical naval distinction, "Union Jack" has been used interchangeably with "Union Flag" in official British documents since the 17th century, including Admiralty references regardless of context.[6] A 1902 Admiralty circular explicitly stated that both terms were acceptable for the national flag, a position affirmed by Parliament in 1908, which declared the "Union Jack" as the national flag to be regarded universally.[6] UK legislation, such as the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, describes it as the "Union flag (commonly known as the Union Jack)," underscoring its dual nomenclature in statutory use. In practice, the flag's usage as the Union Flag or Union Jack encompasses representation of the sovereign United Kingdom on land, sea, and in international contexts, including government buildings, royal residences, military installations, and diplomatic missions.[2] A royal proclamation on 1 January 1801 mandated its display on forts, castles, and naval vessels to signify the updated union including Ireland, establishing it as the preeminent ensign for state purposes.[2] It is not a personal flag of the monarch but a composite royal banner symbolizing the unified realms, flown continuously on UK soil except during designated mourning periods or when superseded by other protocol flags.[6]Distinctions and Common Errors
The term "Union Jack" derives from its historical use as a naval jack flag flown from the jackstaff at the bow of Royal Navy ships to signify British waters or for identification during battle, a practice documented since the early 17th century. In contrast, "Union Flag" refers more broadly to the national flag of the United Kingdom, encompassing its land-based and general applications. Although a technical distinction persists in some heraldic and naval contexts, both names have been officially validated as interchangeable by the Admiralty and Parliament, reflecting common usage since at least 1902.[6][7][8] A prevalent error in displaying the flag is inverting it, which occurs when the wider white fimbriated diagonal stripe of the Saltire of Saint Andrew (representing Scotland) lies below the narrower red diagonal of Saint Patrick's Cross (representing Ireland) in the upper hoist-side canton. The proper orientation, whether flown horizontally from a staff or draped vertically against a wall, positions the broader white stripe uppermost nearest the hoist, ensuring the flag's asymmetrical design—lacking rotational symmetry—is respected.[9][10][11] This inversion, while sometimes intentional in maritime distress signals under historical naval code, is otherwise deemed disrespectful and improper in civilian contexts.[12] Other common mistakes include flying a soiled, torn, or faded flag, which conveys neglect and diminishes the emblem's dignity, as emphasized in official protocols requiring flags to be in good repair. Additionally, failing to adjust for vertical display—where the hoist edge becomes the top—leads to frequent misorientations on buildings or banners, with the top-left canton (observer's perspective) demanding the same white-over-red diagonal priority. These errors are exacerbated by the flag's complex overlay of crosses, often resulting in decorative uses prioritizing aesthetics over protocol.[10][9]Design
Heraldic Components
The Union Flag comprises three overlaid heraldic crosses representing the patron saints of England, Scotland, and Ireland: the upright cross of Saint George, the white saltire of Saint Andrew, and the red saltire of Saint Patrick.[2] These elements are combined on a blue field derived from the Scottish royal banner, with fimbriations—narrow white borders—separating contrasting colors to maintain heraldic distinction.[13] The design adheres to principles of heraldry, where overlays prioritize visibility and symbolic equality among the components, though the Scottish saltire forms the foundational layer.[2] The cross of Saint George, patron saint of England, is a red Greek cross (upright arms of equal length) fimbriated in white, extending to the flag's edges and superimposed centrally over the saltires.[2] This element originates from England's historic banner, a white field bearing a red cross, adopted as the national flag by the late 13th century.[2] In the Union Flag, its red arms overlie the blue field and white saltire, with white edging preventing merger with the underlying white of Saint Andrew's saltire. The saltire of Saint Andrew, patron saint of Scotland, is a white diagonal cross (X-shaped) on the blue field, fimbriated in red where it meets the blue to avoid color-on-color overlap, though the fimbriation is adjusted in the final overlay.[2] This component reflects Scotland's ancient flag, the blue banner of the field with white saltire, used since the 12th century and retained in the Union design post-1606.[2] It underlies the English cross but intersects it symmetrically. The saltire of Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, is a red diagonal cross fimbriated in white, offset slightly from the Saint Andrew saltire to ensure the white does not dominate as mere edging.[2] Added in 1801 upon the union with Ireland, it represents the red saltire on white from Ireland's traditional banner, overlaid atop the prior Anglo-Scottish union to symbolize parity.[2] The offset positioning, narrower width of the Irish saltire (one-fifth the flag's width versus broader Scottish arms), and shared fimbriations maintain heraldic clarity amid the complex superposition.[13]Proportions and Construction
The Union Flag employs standardized proportions to integrate the heraldic elements of the crosses of St. George, St. Andrew, and St. Patrick without distortion. For land applications, the ratio is 3:5 (hoist to fly), corresponding to 30 units high by 50 units wide; maritime variants use a 1:2 ratio.[13][3] Construction divides the flag into a grid of these units for precise placement. The Cross of St. George forms a red upright cross, its arms measuring 6 units (one-fifth of the hoist) in width, centered horizontally and vertically, with white fimbriations of 2 units (one-fifteenth of the hoist) on each side separating it from the royal blue field.[3][14] Overlaid diagonally are the saltires of St. Andrew and St. Patrick, each extending from corner to corner and intersecting at the flag's center. The white Saltire of St. Andrew has arms 6 units wide, fimbriated in red (1 unit) adjacent to the blue field, but visible widths adjust due to superposition: the white appears broader (3 units) nearest the hoist, transitioning through 2 units of red fimbriation to 1 unit of white nearer the fly. The red Saltire of St. Patrick mirrors this structure with white fimbriations (1 unit nearest hoist, expanding to 3 units nearer the fly), ensuring the white of St. Andrew predominates upper hoist-side and red of St. Patrick lower fly-side for correct orientation.[3] These dimensions maintain heraldic priority—St. George's Cross surmounting the saltires—while accommodating overlaps without color bleed, as formalized in specifications derived from the 1801 royal proclamation.[13][3]Colors and Materials
The Union Flag utilizes three colors: royal blue for the background field, red for the crosses and saltires, and white for the fimbriations and saltire diagonals. The Flag Institute specifies Pantone 280 C for the royal blue and Pantone 186 C for the red, with no designated shade for white to allow flexibility in reproduction.[3] These Pantone values align with modern printing and dyeing standards for accurate replication, as confirmed by flag manufacturers adhering to UK government guidelines.[14] As a heraldic ensign, the flag lacks rigidly prescribed shades; the College of Arms permits any blue and red tones distinguishable from one another and from white, reflecting traditional heraldry's emphasis on identifiability over precise spectrometry.[13] This approach accommodates variations in dyes and fabrics across historical and contemporary uses, though standardized Pantone references emerged in the 20th century for consistency in official and commercial production. Contemporary Union Flags are primarily manufactured from 155 gsm woven polyester, a Ministry of Defence-approved fabric selected for its weather resistance, color retention, and structural integrity under wind stress.[15] Premium versions, including those for royal or ceremonial purposes, are hand-sewn from pre-dyed panels cut to the flag's geometric specifications, avoiding printed designs to ensure longevity and fidelity to the design.[16] This material supplanted earlier wool bunting or silk in the 20th century, driven by advances in synthetic textiles that better withstand ultraviolet degradation and moisture.[17] Lower-grade flags may employ spun nylon or knit polyester, but these compromise on drape and fade resistance compared to woven polyester standards.[18]Display Protocols
The Union Flag must be displayed with a specific orientation to ensure correctness, determined by the diagonal white saltire of Saint Andrew. When flown horizontally from a flagpole, the hoist side—adjacent to the pole—features the broader white diagonal band positioned above the narrower red diagonal band of Saint Patrick; reversal of this indicates improper display.[9] [10] For vertical suspension, such as against a wall or on a staff without horizontal projection, the flag is rotated 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise so the hoist edge becomes the top, preserving the diagonal orientation relative to the original hoist.[9] [19] Deliberate inversion of the flag, where the white band lies below the red near the hoist, serves as a maritime distress signal under international conventions, but on land it is deemed improper and potentially insulting to the sovereign, except in genuine emergencies.[9] [12] The Flag Institute advises against upside-down display for decorative purposes, recommending lesser flags instead to avoid protocol breaches.[9] No legal prohibition exists against flying the flag at any time or location in the United Kingdom, though planning permission may apply for permanent fixtures on certain buildings; the Union Flag enjoys exemption from such requirements on government structures year-round.[19] [10] In multi-flag arrangements, the Union Flag takes precedence and occupies the position of honour, typically at the center or far left when viewed from the front, superior to other national or regional flags; it should never be subordinate or used as drapery, seating, or flooring.[9] [19] For mourning, the flag is half-masted by lowering it to half the pole's height with the upper hoist touching the pole top, then raising it briskly to full height before lowering fully at the event's end; full-masting occurs upon royal command or designated days.[19] On vehicles, the flag attaches to a staff angled forward at 45 degrees on the right front fender for dignitaries, with the Royal Standard superseding it for the monarch.[9] Illumination is recommended for nighttime display to maintain visibility and respect.[9]History
Pre-Union Flags of England, Scotland, and Ireland
The flag of England, known as the Cross of Saint George, features a red upright cross extending to the edges of a white rectangular field. This design emerged during the Third Crusade (1189–1192), with King Richard I (r. 1189–1199) adopting the red cross as an emblem linked to Saint George, the patron saint of England, for use by English crusaders. By the late 13th century, under Edward I (r. 1272–1307), it served as a military standard, first documented in official capacity during the 1277 Welsh campaign.[20][21] The flag of Scotland, the Saltire or Cross of Saint Andrew, displays a white diagonal cross (saltire) on a blue background. Legend attributes its origin to 832 AD, when Óengus II (or Angus mac Fergus), king of the Picts, invoked Saint Andrew before the Battle of Athelstaneford against the Angles; a white saltire appeared in the sky amid clouds, interpreted as a divine sign of victory, leading to Saint Andrew's adoption as Scotland's patron saint. While the legend's historicity remains unverified, the Saltire's use as a royal and national banner is evidenced from the 12th century onward, with formal parliamentary endorsement in Scotland by 1542, though earlier references suggest its establishment by the late 14th century.[22][23] Ireland, under English sovereignty before the 1801 union, did not possess a unified national flag equivalent to those of England or Scotland prior to 1606. The red saltire on white, later designated the Cross of Saint Patrick for incorporation into the Union Flag, originated in heraldic traditions rather than longstanding national usage. Its formal adoption traces to the 1783 establishment of the Order of Saint Patrick by George III, where the red diagonal cross on white symbolized Ireland's patron saint; earlier instances include a red saltire in Irish regimental colors from the 17th century, such as the 1653 King's Own Regiment, but these lacked national standardization. The design's selection for the Union Flag reflected heraldic invention by the College of Arms to parallel the saltires of Scotland and the cross of England, rather than reviving a pre-existing Irish ensign.[24][25]Formation of the First Union Design (1606)
Following the Union of the Crowns in 1603, when James VI of Scotland acceded to the English throne as James I, maritime disputes emerged due to the distinct national flags of England (red cross of St. George on white) and Scotland (white saltire of St. Andrew on blue), complicating identification of vessels at sea amid tensions with foreign powers like the Dutch.[26][4] To resolve this and symbolize the personal union under one monarch, James I issued a royal proclamation on 12 April 1606 titled "A Proclamation Declaring what Flags South and North Britains shall bear at Sea."[4][27] The decree mandated specific flag usages for English ("South Britain") and Scottish ("North Britain") ships to prevent further "difference or offence" in naval recognition.[4] The proclamation established the first Union Flag as a combined heraldic design overlaying the red upright cross of St. George (extending fully across the flag) with the white diagonal saltire of St. Andrew (likewise reaching the edges), creating a quartered effect where the saltires intersected without fimbriation or borders.[28][29] This asymmetrical overlay prioritized the Scottish saltire in certain quadrants, reflecting a compromise to integrate both patron saints' emblems while maintaining visibility of each.[29] Initially restricted to royal ships, forts, and castles, the flag served as the "British flag" or "union flag" for joint monarchy representation; merchant vessels flew their national flags with the new union design in the canton (upper hoist-side quarter).[28][30] Scottish royal ships used a variant with the saltire dominant and the English cross in the canton, ensuring bilateral equity.[4] This design formalized a visual union absent full political integration, which awaited the 1707 Acts of Union, and excluded Ireland's red saltire as the kingdoms remained separate.[2] The 1606 flag's adoption marked the earliest state-sanctioned British ensign, though enforcement was inconsistent, with occasional reversion to national flags during conflicts.[28] Historical records, including ship depictions from the era, confirm the overlay's execution in crimson red for the cross and argent white for the saltire, on fields blending azure and argent quadrants.[30] The proclamation's text emphasized obedience under penalty, underscoring James's intent to enforce symbolic unity through naval protocol.[31]Inclusion of Ireland and Finalization (1801)
The Acts of Union 1800, which received royal assent on 1 August 1800 and took effect on 1 January 1801, united the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland into the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, abolishing the Irish Parliament and integrating Ireland's representation into the Parliament at Westminster with 100 Irish MPs.[32][33] This political union necessitated an update to the national flag to incorporate a heraldic element representing Ireland alongside those of England and Scotland.[34] The chosen symbol for Ireland was the Cross of St. Patrick, depicted as a red saltire—a diagonal red cross—fimbriated with white on a white field, though St. Patrick was not a martyr and thus heraldically not entitled to a cross; the design drew from earlier Irish usage despite its debated historical authenticity for the saint.[4][34] This red saltire was overlaid onto the existing Union Flag of Great Britain, which combined England's red St. George's Cross (a upright cross) on white with Scotland's white St. Andrew's Saltire on blue. To ensure visibility, the red saltire was counterchanged against the white diagonals of the St. Andrew's Saltire, with narrow white fimbriations added to distinguish the arms where they intersected the existing crosses.[29][34] The revised design was formalized by an Order in Council issued on 1 January 1801, the same day the union commenced, mandating its use on royal forts, castles, and naval vessels; it first flew officially on that date, marking the flag's evolution into its current form representing the three kingdoms under one sovereign.[2][29] No further substantive changes to the flag's core design have occurred since, despite the secession of the Irish Free State in 1922, which retained the St. Patrick's elements in some contexts but led to ongoing debates about the flag's representation of modern territorial realities.[4][35]Evolution and Proposed Changes Post-1801
The design of the Union Flag, as defined by the royal proclamation of 1 January 1801, has remained unaltered in its core heraldic elements since that date, comprising the red cross of Saint George overlaid on the counterchanged saltires of Saints Andrew and Patrick against an azure field.[13][2] The College of Arms, under the authority of the Earl Marshal, has endorsed specific constructions adhering to this blazon, emphasizing that no fixed proportions or color shades are mandated beyond ensuring distinct visibility of blue and red, with approved ratios such as 5:3 for land flags and 2:1 for naval use.[13] This stability reflects the flag's role as a fixed symbol of the United Kingdom's constitutional unions, with any variations limited to practical adaptations in manufacture rather than substantive redesign.[4] Proposals for modification have arisen periodically, often tied to devolution, national identity debates, or hypothetical territorial changes, but none have been adopted. In November 2007, Culture Minister Margaret Hodge indicated openness to incorporating the red Welsh dragon into the flag to acknowledge Wales' distinct status, prompting discussion but no action from government or heraldic authorities.[36][37] Similarly, ahead of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, designers and commentators suggested alternatives, such as removing the white saltire to eliminate Scotland's representation and potentially adding Welsh symbols like a black silhouette or tripartite divisions, yet these remained speculative and unimplemented as the union persisted.[38][39] Such ideas underscore ongoing tensions over the flag's representation of the UK's asymmetrical nations—England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland explicitly symbolized, with Wales subsumed under the English cross—but official inertia prioritizes heraldic continuity over revision.[40]Symbolism
Core Elements and Meanings
The Union Flag, commonly known as the Union Jack, consists of three primary heraldic elements: the red cross of Saint George for England, the white saltire of Saint Andrew for Scotland, and the red saltire of Saint Patrick for Ireland, all superimposed on a blue field derived from the Scottish royal banner.[2] These components were combined to symbolize the political union of the respective kingdoms under a single sovereign, with each cross retaining its distinct form while overlaid to reflect shared sovereignty rather than subordination.[2] [29] The cross of Saint George—a bold red upright cross fimbriated in white on a white field—represents England and traces to the adoption of Saint George as the kingdom's patron saint by the late 13th century, formalized under Edward III in 1348 through the founding of the Order of the Garter.[2] This element forms the vertical and horizontal axes of the flag, symbolizing stability and the historic English monarchy's central role in the union.[29] The white saltire of Saint Andrew—a diagonal white cross fimbriated in red on a blue field—denotes Scotland, drawing from the ancient association of the X-shaped cross with the apostle Andrew's martyrdom, adopted as Scotland's national emblem by the 12th century under kings like William the Lion.[2] [29] Positioned diagonally, it evokes Scotland's distinct Celtic heritage and the 1707 Acts of Union integrating it with England.[41] The red saltire of Saint Patrick—a diagonal red cross on white, counterchanged over the prior elements—stands for Ireland, linked to the legend of the saint's use of the shamrock to illustrate the Trinity, though the saltire form emerged in the 17th century as a heraldic adaptation distinct from earlier Irish symbols like the harp.[2] [42] Added in 1801 via the Acts of Union with Ireland, it underscores the incorporation of the Irish kingdom into the United Kingdom, though post-partition in 1922, it continues to represent Northern Ireland in the flag's design despite debates over its ongoing relevance.[41] [29] Collectively, these elements lack explicit numerical or esoteric meanings beyond their heraldic origins; the blue field unifies them visually, originating from Scotland's banner and standardized for contrast, emphasizing empirical union over abstract ideology.[2][43]National and Imperial Representations
The Union Jack functions as the national flag of the United Kingdom, embodying the political and constitutional union of its constituent parts—England, Scotland, and [Northern Ireland](/page/Northern Ireland)—forged through the Acts of Union in 1707 and 1801. Its design integrates the red cross of Saint George for England, the white saltire of Saint Andrew for Scotland, and the red saltire of Saint Patrick for Ireland (retained for [Northern Ireland](/page/Northern Ireland) post-1922 partition), visually affirming the shared sovereignty and indivisible realm under the British Crown.[29][7] This symbolism underscores a historical emphasis on unity amid distinct national identities, as evidenced by its mandatory display on UK government buildings and its role in state ceremonies, where it denotes the continuity of monarchical and parliamentary authority.[44] In its imperial context, the Union Jack represented the expansive reach of British governance from the 18th to mid-20th centuries, serving as the foundational canton for colonial ensigns in dominions, protectorates, and territories spanning approximately 35.5 million square kilometers at the Empire's peak in the 1920s—about a quarter of the world's land area.[29] It flew over administrative centers in regions from Canada to India, symbolizing centralized imperial authority, naval supremacy, and the extension of British law and trade networks, which facilitated the movement of goods, people, and military forces across global routes secured by Royal Navy vessels bearing variants of the flag.[45] Post-decolonization, its imperial connotations persist in public perception, with surveys indicating that 63% of Britons associate it primarily with the Empire rather than contemporary multiculturalism.[46] Today, it retains symbolic ties to the 15 Commonwealth realms where the British monarch serves as head of state, though its display in former colonies often evokes both historical administration and contested legacies of rule.[29]Heraldic and Religious Interpretations
The Union Flag's heraldic composition integrates the red cross of Saint George (gules on argent), the white saltire of Saint Andrew (argent on azure), and the red saltire of Saint Patrick (gules on argent), arranged with fimbriations to ensure visual distinction on the blue field.[2] Its formal blazon, as reflected in historical royal proclamations and vexillological standards, describes it as "Azure, the Crosses saltire of St. Andrew and St. Patrick quarterly per saltire, counterchanged argent and gules; the latter fimbriated of the second; surmounted by the Cross of St. George of the third, fimbriated as the saltire."[13] This arrangement prioritizes the English cross centrally, with Scottish and Irish saltires offset to avoid overlap, a practical heraldic solution derived from 17th- and 18th-century union designs rather than symmetrical idealism.[47] Religiously, the flag's crosses evoke the Christian patron saints of the historic kingdoms: Saint George, a 3rd-century martyr traditionally crucified and symbolizing England's martial Christian heritage; Saint Andrew, the apostle who, per early church tradition, was crucified on a diagonal cross (saltire) in A.D. 60, representing Scotland's apostolic roots; and Saint Patrick, the 5th-century missionary who converted Ireland, with his saltire adopted from Ulster's provincial banner to denote Catholic evangelization.[48] These elements collectively affirm a Protestant-inflected Christian unity, as the design emerged under monarchs like James VI and I (who ordered the initial 1606 prototype) and George III (who finalized the 1801 version amid Irish union), amid eras of religious consolidation against Catholic threats.[49] No evidence supports esoteric or non-Christian interpretations; the saints' crosses function as badges of faith-based national identity, with the overlying structure underscoring hierarchical precedence (England over Celtic realms) in line with the Acts of Union.[2]Official Status and Protocols
In the United Kingdom
The Union Flag functions as the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, established through royal proclamation and customary practice rather than explicit statutory enactment.[2][9] Originating as a royal banner, its designation for national use stems from King George III's 1801 order to fly it on forts, castles, and naval vessels, with subsequent government endorsements affirming its role in representing the state.[2][1] No dedicated Flag Act exists, distinguishing it from legislated flags in other nations, and its status relies on executive guidance and heraldic tradition upheld by bodies like the College of Arms.[10][9] For public sector display, UK government buildings fly the Union Flag year-round under policy updated in March 2021, shifting from prior restrictions to designated dates only.[19][5] This applies to structures like Whitehall offices and embassies, where it takes precedence on single-pole setups unless displaced by higher-status flags such as the Royal Standard during the monarch's presence.[5] On multi-pole arrangements, it flies alongside others, maintaining the correct orientation: when viewed from the front on a vertical staff, the thicker white diagonal stripe must appear in the upper hoist (left) quadrant to avoid inversion, which signals distress only in maritime contexts.[9][10] Private citizens and organizations face no legal barriers to flying the Union Flag at any time or location, subject only to general planning rules treating flags as advertisements; in England and Wales, national flags on buildings under 15 meters require no express consent if not illuminated at night, though local authorities may impose conditions on size or permanence.[10][19] Protocols emphasize dignified handling, prohibiting tattered or faded versions on official sites, with guidance from the Flag Institute recommending replacement when fraying exceeds one-sixth of the fly's length.[9] In ceremonial contexts, such as state events, it adheres to heraldic precedence, yielding to personal standards of the sovereign or regent but superseding devolved nation flags like the Cross of St. George.[10][1]Designated Flying Days
Designated flying days are dates specified by royal command on which the Union Flag must be flown from UK government buildings, marking occasions such as royal anniversaries, national patron saints' days, and key commemorations. These requirements apply across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with some days regionally emphasized, such as St David's Day in Wales or St Patrick's Day in Northern Ireland. While the Union Flag is encouraged to be flown daily from such buildings as the default option—particularly since updated guidance in 2021—these designated days impose a mandatory obligation, ensuring consistent national symbolism on pivotal dates. Flags are hoisted at 8 a.m. and lowered by sunset, and on multi-pole installations, the Union Flag holds the superior position (centre or left-centre hoist).[5][50][10] The designated days for 2025 include both fixed and variable dates, as follows:- 1 March: St David's Day (Wales)
- 10 March: Commonwealth Day (second Monday in March)
- 17 March: St Patrick's Day (Northern Ireland)
- 9 April: His Majesty The King's Wedding Anniversary
- 23 April: St George's Day (England)
- 6 May: Coronation Day
- 14 June: Official Birthday of His Majesty The King
- 21 June: Birthday of HRH The Prince of Wales
- 17 July: Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen
- 8 September: His Majesty The King's Accession
- 9 November: Remembrance Day (second Sunday in November)
- 14 November: Birthday of His Majesty The King
- 30 November: St Andrew's Day (Scotland)
- Opening or prorogation of Parliament sessions (Greater London area)