The Union Jack, also known as the Union Flag, is usually considered the most important flag in the UK – unless you happen to be a slightly stubborn Scots or Welshman. But according to flag experts in the UK, there’s actually another, more senior flag which is considered even more important.
At a time when the rights to tie flags to lampposts has been the source of much controversy in the past few weeks, many people have been brushing up on flag rules that govern how we fly the Union Jack, the St George’s Cross of England or even the Welsh flag and the Scottish Saltaire.
But there is a flag that’s considered more important than even the Union Jack flag in the UK: the Royal Standard. According to experts at UK charity The Flag Institute, the Royal Standard, also called the Royal Banner, is the flag of the Royal family, and is flown when members of the Royal family are present on any given premises.
The flag is made up of four equally sized quadrants with designs which represent the constituent nations of the UK, though a touch unfairly, England is represented twice and Wales not at all.
The Royal website explains: “Since the Union of the Crowns in 1603, the composition of the Royal Standard has taken various forms. In today’s Standard there are four quarterings – England (three lions passant) in the first and fourth quarters, Scotland (a lion rampant) in the second quarter and Ireland (a harp) in the third quarter.
“Wales is not represented in the Royal Standard, as its special position as a Principality was recognised by the creation of the Prince of Wales long before the incorporation of the quarterings for Scotland and Ireland in the Royal Arms.
“In Scotland a different version of the Royal Standard is used, with Scottish arms in the first and fourth quarters and English arms in the second.”
Contrary to popular belief, it is the Royal Standard flying at Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace which denotes the presence of the monarch, not the Union Jack.
It adds: “The Royal Standard is flown only when the Sovereign is present. If the Union Jack is flying above Buckingham Palace instead of the Standard, The King is not in residence.”
The Flag Institute explains in its Flag Protocol guidance: “The Royal Standard (actually the Royal Banner – a standard being an heraldic flag similar to the pennants above) should only be flown whilst the Royal person is on the premises, being hoisted (or broken) on their arrival and lowered following their departure. If the Royal person is to be present in a building, the Lord Chamberlain’s Department or the Royal person’s private secretary should be consulted. They will advise on the flag to be flown. The Royal Standard is never hoisted when the Royal person is passing in procession.
“The Royal Standard takes precedence over all other flags in the United Kingdom, including the Union [Jack] Flag.”
