List of British flags

The Union Flag, the national flag of the United Kingdom

List of British flags
English flags
Northern Irish flags
Scottish flags
Welsh flags
Royal Standards

This is a list of flags that have either been in use, or are currently used by, the United Kingdom and related territories.

Current national flags

National and subnational flags of the United Kingdom.

United Kingdom

Flag	Date	Use	Description	Status
	1801 on	The Union Flag, popularly known as the Union Jack. Used as the flag of the United Kingdom	A superimposition of the flags of England and Scotland with the Saint Patrick's Saltire (representing Ireland)	National flag used by government and civilian population.

Great Britain

Flag	Date	Use	Description	Status
	c.1275 on	Flag of England, also known as the St George's Cross	Argent a cross Gules	De facto national flag also used by the Church of England, sports teams representing England and ordinary citizens.
	c.1300 on	Flag of Scotland, also known as the St Andrew's Cross, or the Saltire	Azure a saltire Argent	National flag used by Scottish Government and agencies, sports teams representing Scotland and by ordinary citizens.
	1959 on (variants first appeared c.1485)	Flag of Wales, also known as the Red Dragon or Y Ddraig Goch	Per fess Argent and Vert, a dragon passant Gules	National flag used by the Welsh Government and agencies, sports teams representing Wales and by ordinary citizens.

Northern Ireland

See also: Flag of Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland flags issue

Northern Ireland does not currently have a de jure National flag other than the Union Flag – the banner of the former coat of arms of the Government of Northern Ireland, the Ulster Banner, is still in use by international sporting organisations, (e.g. FIFA, UEFA, and the Commonwealth Games) and can be seen in the Historical flags section.

Ensigns

Main article: British ensign

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1801 on	White Ensign, Royal Navy, usually ships bearing the prefix HMS (but see blue ensign), and the Royal Yacht Squadron	A red cross on a white field with the Union Flag in the canton
	1968 on	Ensign of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary	A blue ensign defaced with a vertical yellow anchor
	1974 – 2008	Ensign of the Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service	A blue ensign defaced with a horizontal yellow anchor with two wavy yellow lines beneath
		Sea Cadet Corps Ensign	RNR Blue Ensign with SCC badge
		Flag of the Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom	A fouled anchor on a crimson background
		Non-Ceremonial Flag of the British Army	A red field defaced with the badge of the British Army.
	1838 on	Ensign of the Corps of Royal Engineers	A blue government ensign defaced with the crest of the coat of arms of the Board of Ordnance.
		Ensign of the Royal Logistic Corps for use on vessels commanded by a Commissioned Officer.	A blue government ensign defaced with the British Army badge of a crown and lion in front of crossed swords.
		Ensign of the Royal Logistic Corps for use on vessels under command of a Non-Commissioned Officer.	A blue government ensign defaced by British Army crossed swords.
	1921 on	Royal Air Force Ensign	A RAF light blue field with the Royal Air Force roundel in the fly with a Union Flag in the canton
	1945 – 1996	Royal Observer Corps Ensign	RAF Ensign with RAF roundel replaced by ROC badge
		Air Training Corps Ensign	RAF Ensign with RAF roundel replaced by ATC badge
	1957 on	Flag of the Ministry of Defence	A dark blue, red and light blue tricolour defaced with the Joint Service badge.
	1956 on	Flag of the Joint Services	A dark blue, red and light blue tricolour defaced with the Joint Service badge in black.
		Flag of the Secretary of State for Defence	A dark blue, red and light blue horizontal tricolour defaced with a crown and lion.
	1965 on	Flag of the Chief of the Defence Staff	A dark blue, red and light blue horizontal tricolour with a Union canton and defaced with the badge of the Chief of the Defence Staff.
		Flag of the Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines	A dark blue field with unequal horizontal yellow, green and red stripes, and the crest of the Royal Marines.
		Flag of the Commandant General Royal Marines	A dark blue field with a fouled anchor, lion and crown.
	1801 on	Blue Ensign, used by some organisations or territories associated with the UK and also used by Royal Navy Captain of Merchant Navy Ship – e.g., RMS Queen Mary	A blue field, with a Union Flag in the canton
	1864 on	Government Service Ensign (previously the Transport Ensign or Admiralty Ensign)	A blue ensign defaced with a horizontal yellow anchor
	1801 on	Red Ensign, used by the Merchant Navy	A red field, with a Union Flag in the canton
		Civil Jack	A Union Flag with a white border
	1931 on	Civil Air Ensign, used by civilian aircraft and at civil airports	A blue and white cross on a light blue field with the Union Flag in the canton
	1943 - 1945, 1949 - 1968	Flag of the Civil Defence Service/Civil Defence Corps	A blue and yellow flag defaced with a Tudor Crown and the letters CD
		Standard of the Royal British Legion	A blue ensign with a yellow band across the middle with the words Royal British Legion and the name of the branch

Royal Standards

Queen Elizabeth II

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1837 on	The Royal Standard of the United Kingdom (except Scotland)	A banner of the Queen's Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom
	1837 on	The Royal Standard of the United Kingdom (only Scotland)	A banner of the Queen's Arms used in Scotland, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom used in Scotland
	1952 on	Personal Flag of Queen Elizabeth II, used by the Queen in her capacity as Head of the Commonwealth	A crowned letter 'E' in gold, surrounded by a garland of gold roses on a blue background

Standards and Banners of the Prince of Wales

Flag	Date	Use	Description
		Standard of the Prince of Wales, used in England and Northern Ireland	A banner of the Coat of Arms of the Prince of Wales, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom defaced with a label of three points. In the centre on an inescutcheon, ensigned with a representation of the coronet of the Prince of Wales, the Coat of arms of Wales.
		Standard of the Prince of Wales as Duke of Cornwall	15 golden circles (bezants) on a black field
		Standard of the Prince of Wales as Duke of Rothesay.	The Royal Standard of Scotland defaced with a label of three points.
		Banner of the Prince of Wales as Duke of Rothesay	Banner of the Duke's Arms, 1st and 4th quarters representing the title of Great Steward of Scotland, the 2nd and 3rd quarters representing the title of Lord of the Isles. In the centre on an inescutcheon the arms of the heir apparent to the King of Scots
	1962 on	Banner of the Prince of Wales, used in Wales	A banner of the Coat of Arms of Wales. In the centre on an inescutcheon the coronet of the Prince of Wales

Other members of the Royal Family

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1948 on	Standard of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh	A banner of the Coat of Arms of the Duke of Edinburgh, 1st quarter representing Denmark, 2nd quarter Greece, 3rd quarter the Mountbatten family, 4th quarter Edinburgh
	2000 on	Standard of HRH The Duke of Cambridge	Banner of the Prince's Coat of Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a three point label, the centre label bearing an Escallop in reference to the arms of Diana, Princess of Wales
	2002 on	Standard of HRH Prince Henry of Wales	Banner of the Prince's Coat of Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a five point label, the first, centre and fifth labels bearing an Escallop in reference to the arms of Diana, Princess of Wales
	1978 on	Standard of HRH The Duke of York	Banner of the Duke's Coat of Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a three point label, the centre label bearing a blue anchor
	2006 on	Standard of HRH Princess Beatrice of York	Banner of the Princess's Coat of Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a five point label with three bees in alternating points
	2008 on	Standard of HRH Princess Eugenie of York	Banner of the Princess's Coat of Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a five point label with three thistle heads in alternating points
		Standard of HRH The Earl of Wessex	Banner of the Earl's Coat of Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a three point label, the centre label bearing a Tudor Rose
		Standard of HRH The Princess Royal	Banner of the Princess's Coat of Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a three point label, the first and third labels bearing a red cross, the centre label bearing a red heart.
	1962 on	Standard of HRH The Duke of Gloucester	Banner of the Duke's Coat of Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a five point label, the first, third and fifth labels bearing a red cross, the second and fourth labels bearing a red lion.
		Standard of HRH The Duke of Kent	Banner of the Duke's Coat of Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a five point label, the first, third and fifth labels bearing a blue anchor, the second and fourth labels bearing a red cross.
		Standard of HRH Prince Michael of Kent	Banner of the Prince's Coat of Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a five point label, the first, third and fifth labels bearing a red cross, the second and fourth labels bearing a blue anchor.
	1961 on	Standard of HRH Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy	Banner of the Princess's Coat of Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a five point label, the first and fifth labels bearing a red heart, the third label bearing a red cross, the second and fourth labels bearing a blue anchor.

Others

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1323 on	The Royal Standard of Scotland	A banner of the ancient Royal coat of arms of Scotland, now officially used in Scotland by representatives of the sovereign, including the First Minister of Scotland, (as keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland), the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Lord Lyon King of Arms and Lord-Lieutenants within their lieutenancies. This flag is also used at the Royal residences of Holyrood Palace and Balmoral Castle when the sovereign is not present.
		Flag used by the Lord-Lieutenants, the sovereign's representative in the counties of the United Kingdom, except by those in Scotland. (see above).	The Union Flag, defaced with a sword, crowned.
		Standard of the Duchy of Lancaster	The Royal Standard of England, with a three point label, each containing three fleurs-de-lis
		Standard of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports	A banner of the Lord's coat of arms featuring three Lions passant guardant con-joined to these hulls, all in gold

Government

Flag	Date	Use	Description
		Ensign of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs	A Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of HM Customs and Excise
		Ensign of Her Majesty's Coastguard	A blue ensign defaced with the badge of HM Coastguard
		Ensign of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency	A blue ensign defaced with the badge of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency
		Ensign of the Commissioners of the Northern Lights	A blue ensign defaced with a lighthouse
		Northern Lighthouse Board Commissioners Flag	A White Ensign with a pre-1801 Union Flag in the canton, defaced with a blue lighthouse in the fly, is the only British flag to still use the pre-1801 Union Flag. This flag is only flown from vessels with the Commissioners aboard and from the Headquarters of the NLB, in Edinburgh.
		Ensign of Trinity House	A red ensign defaced with a Trinity House Jack
		Flag of the Metropolitan Police	The Badge of the Metropolitan Police on a blue background, with white squares at the edge

Church

Flag	Date	Use	Description
		Flag of the Anglican Communion	A dark blue background with the symbol of the Anglican Communion (a compass rose surmounted by a bishop's mitre; in the centre is a cross of St George). The Greek motto, Ἡ ἀλήθεια ἐλευθερώσει ὑμᾶς ("The truth will set you free") is a quotation from John 8:32.
	1999 on	Flag used by the Church of Ireland	The flag of Saint Patrick is one of two flags authorised for use on Church of Ireland buildings and grounds. The other is that of the Anglican Communion above.
		Flag of the Church of Scotland	The flag of Scotland with the burning bush in the centre.
		Flag of Westminster Abbey	Tudor arms between Tudor roses, above Edward the Confessor's arms.
		Flag of the Church in Wales	A navy blue cross with a celtic cross in the centre.

Diplomatic flags

Flag	Date	Use	Description
		Flag used by British embassies	A Union Flag defaced with the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom
		Flag used by British high commissions	High commissions fly the Union Flag
		Flag used by British consulates and consulates-general	A Union Flag defaced with the Royal Crown
		Flag used by British consular officials when embarked in small boats; flag displayed at bow	A blue ensign with the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom

The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man (Crown dependencies)

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1993 on	Flag of Alderney	A red cross on a white field (St George's Cross) with an inescutcheon of the island's coat of arms. Alderney is an autonomous island which belongs to the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
	1985 on	Flag of Guernsey	A golden cross within a red cross on a white field (St George's Cross)
	1985 on	Civil Ensign of Guernsey	A red ensign with a Gold Cross.
	1985 on	State Ensign of Guernsey	A blue ensign with a Gold Cross.
		Flag of Herm	A red cross on a white field (St George's Cross) with the coat of arms of the island in the canton. Herm is an island which belongs to the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
	1931 on	Flag of the Isle of Man	A triskelion on a red field
	1971 on	Civil Ensign of the Isle of Man	A red ensign with a triskelion
	1981 on	Flag of Jersey	A red saltire on a white field defaced with the island's badge
	2010 on	Civil Ensign of Jersey	A Red Ensign with the coat of arms of Jersey on
		Government Ensign of Jersey	A blue ensign with the arms of Jersey
	1938 on	Flag of Sark	A red cross on a white field (St George's Cross) with two lions (the arms of the Plantagenet Dukes of Normandy) in the canton. Strictly speaking, this was the personal flag of the Seigneur. Sark is an autonomous island which belongs to the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

Overseas territories

In 1999, the maritime flags of the British Overseas Territories were updated at the request of the Ministry of Defence. The white discs were removed from the field of the flags and each respective coat of arms was increased in size for ease of identification. As the MOD only had authority over sea flags, the Governments of the Overseas Territories were free to continue using the flags with white discs on land. The Overseas Territories' governments did switch to the updated flags over a staggered period of time, however some old-style flags with white discs may still be seen.

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1990 on	Flag of Anguilla	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Anguilla
		Flag used in Akrotiri and Dhekelia	The Union Flag is used as no territory flag exists
		Flag of Ascension Island, an island of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha	The Union Flag is currently used, but the Ascension Island Council is in the process of adopting a new flag
	1910 on	Flag of Bermuda	A red ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Bermuda. Used on land and as the civil ensign. (Government ensign is blue.)
	1963 on	Flag of the British Antarctic Territory	A white ensign less the cross of St George defaced with the Coat of Arms of the British Antarctic Territory
	1990 on	Flag of the British Indian Ocean Territory	A blue ensign with white wavy lines, defaced with the Coat of Arms of the British Indian Ocean Territory.
	1960 on	Flag of British Virgin Islands	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of the British Virgin Islands. Used on land and as the government ensign. The civil ensign is red.
	1958 on	Flag of Cayman Islands	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Cayman Islands. Used on land and as the government ensign. The civil ensign is red.
	1999 on	Flag of Falkland Islands	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Falkland Islands. Used on land and as the government ensign. The civil ensign is red.
	1982 on	Flag of Gibraltar	Two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the centre of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centred in the red band. This is the flag commonly used on land.
	1921 on	Government Ensign of Gibraltar	A British Blue Ensign with the Union Flag in the canton and the badge of Gibraltar in the fly. This is the ensign for vessels owned by the Government, or in Government service.
	1996 on	Civil Ensign of Gibraltar	A British Red Ensign with the Union Flag in the canton and the badge of Gibraltar in the fly; the civil ensign for locally registered vessels.
	1909 on	Flag of Montserrat	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of Montserrat
	1984 on	Flag of Pitcairn Island	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of the Pitcairn Islands
	1984 on	Flag of Saint Helena	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Saint Helena
	1985 on	Flag of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
	2002 on	Flag of Tristan da Cunha, an island of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Tristan da Cunha
	1968 on	Flag of Turks and Caicos Islands	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of Turks and Caicos Islands

Governors' flags

Prior to 1999, all Governors' flags had smaller discs and the outer green garland without the gold ring. Therefore the dates given do not reflect this minor, consistent change.

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1990 on	Personal flag of the Governor of Anguilla	A Union Flag defaced with the Coat of arms of Anguilla
	Before 2011	Personal flag of the Governor of Bermuda	A Union Flag defaced with the Coat of arms of Bermuda
	1962 on	Personal flag of the Commissioner of the British Antarctic Territory	A Union Flag defaced with the Coat of arms of the British Antarctic Territory
	1990 on	Flag of the Commissioner of the British Indian Ocean Territory	A design based on the Blue Ensign with a Union Flag in the union and wavy white lines going horiontally along the field, defaced with the Coat of arms of the British Indian Ocean Territory. This flag is also used as the de facto flag of the Territory.
	1971 on	Personal flag of the Governor of the British Virgin Islands	A Union Flag defaced with the Coat of arms of the British Virgin Islands
	1971 on	Personal flag of the Governor of the Cayman Islands	A Union Flag defaced with the Coat of arms of the Cayman Islands
	1948 on	Personal flag of the Governor of the Falkland Islands	A Union Flag defaced with the Coat of arms of the Falkland Islands
	Before 2011	Personal flag of the Governor of Gibraltar	A Union Flag defaced with the Coat of arms of Gibraltar
	Before 2011	Personal flag of the Governor of Montserrat	A Union Flag defaced with the Coat of arms of Montserrat
	Before 2011	Personal flag of the Governor of the Pitcairn Islands	A Union Flag defaced with the Coat of arms of the Pitcairn Islands
	Before 2011	Personal flag of the Governor of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha	A Union Flag defaced with the Coat of arms of Saint Helena
	1999 on	Personal flag of the Commissioner for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands	A Union Flag defaced with the Coat of arms of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
	2002 on	Personal flag of the Administrator of Tristan da Cunha	A Union Flag defaced with the Coat of arms of Tristan da Cunha. The Administrator is subservient to the Governor of Saint Helena
	Before 2011	Personal flag of the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands	A Union Flag defaced with the Coat of arms of the Turks and Caicos Islands

Counties, regions, and cities

Flag	Date	Use	Description
		Flag of Berkshire (private proposal)	Two horizontal bands of white over light blue, bearing, overall, a stylised image of a golden deer and oak.
	2011 on	Flag of Buckinghamshire	A red and black field bearing a chained swan: a traditional badge of the county
	12th century	St Piran's Flag, the Flag of Cornwall	A white cross on a black field
	2006 on	Flag of Derbyshire	A green cross with a white border on a sky blue field, with a gold Tudor rose in the centre.
	2003 on	Flag of Devon, St Petroc's flag	A white cross with a black border on a green field.
	2008 on	Flag of Dorset, The Dorset Cross alias St Wite's Cross	A white cross with a red border on a gold field.
	1900 on	Flag of East Anglia.	The arms ascribed to the Wuffingas dynasty of East Anglia, three crowns on a blue shield, superimposed on a St George's cross.
	Possibly 6th century	Flag of Essex	A red field with three white, gold hilted Saxon swords (Seaxes).
	2008 on	Flag of Gloucestershire The Severn Cross	The winning entry in a competition to commemorate the county's millennium.
	2009 on	Flag of Huntingdonshire	On a green background, a gold, ribboned hunting horn - a flag displayed on the crest of the county arms
	2009 on	Flag of the Isle of Wight	A pale blue field with a nicked rhombus (a representation of the island's shape) and at the bottom six alternating bars wavy, navy blue and white.
		Flag of the Isles of Scilly	The Scillonian Cross
		Flag of Kent	A red field with the white horse of Kent in the centre.
	2008 on	Flag of Lancashire	The red rose of Lancashire on a yellow field.
	2005 on	Flag of Lincolnshire	Quarterly Vert and Azure, on a Cross Gules fimbriated Or a Fleur-de-Lis of the last.
		Flag of Mercia	A gold saltire on a blue field (Cross of St Alban); the traditional flag of the Kingdom of Mercia, still flown on Tamworth Castle.
	1910	Flag of Middlesex	A red field with three white, gold hilted Saxon swords or Seaxes under a gold Saxon crown.
	2011 on	Flag of Monmouthshire	Per pale Azure and Sable three Fleurs-de-lis Or.
	1951	Flag of Northumberland	Local authority flag with use permitted to local people. Based on the St Oswald banner (below).
	Interpretation of 7th century banner	Reconstructed flag of Northumbria or Bernicia	The gold and red banner attributed to King Oswald.
	2011 on	Flag of Nottinghamshire	A red cross fimbrated white on a green field, with an inescutcheon in the centre showing Robin Hood.
	2007 on	Flag of Orkney	A blue Nordic cross outlined in yellow on a red field.
		Flag of the Outer Hebrides
	1988 on	Flag of Pembrokeshire	A yellow cross on a blue field with a variation of the red and white Tudor rose in the centre
	1969 on	Flag of Shetland	A white Nordic cross on a light blue field
		Flag of Suffolk (private proposal)	A cross of Saint George bearing a shield of arms attributed to the martyred Saint Edmund.
	2010 on	Flag of Sussex - Saint Richard's Flag	Based on the traditional emblem of Sussex; Six gold martlets on a Blue field, first recorded in 1611 and used by many Sussex organisations.
		Flag of Wessex	A gold wyvern on a red field.
	2011 on	Flag of Westmorland	A golden heraldic apple tree on white and red bars
	2009 on	Flag of Wiltshire	Alternating downward angled stripes of green and white bearing a green disc within six alternating green and white sections, on which stands an image of a Great Bustard.
	2008 on	Flag of Yorkshire	A White Rose on a blue field.

Local authority flags

Certain local authorities fly their own flags. Generally such a flag is a banner of the civic arms.

Flag	Date	Use	Description
		Flag of Aberdeen	Three White/Grey Castles on a Red Field, taken from the city's coat of arms.
		City of Belfast	A banner of the City's coat of arms.
		Buckinghamshire County Council	Black and red vertical stripes with a white swan
		City of Cardiff	A banner of the City's coat of arms.
		Dorset County Council.	A commercially available banner of the county council's arms.
		City of Durham.	A red cross cross outlined in white on a black field.
		City of London	A red cross on a white field, with a red sword in the canton. A banner of the arms of the City of London Corporation
		Rutland Council	A green background strewn with golden acorns, surrounding a central golden horseshoe.

Miscellaneous

Flag	Date	Use	Description
		Unofficial Cornish ensign	The flag of Cornwall (a white cross on a black field), with the Union Flag in the canton.
		Flag of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution	A red cross with a blue border on a white field, with the letters RNLI in red in each quarter, defaced with a crowned anchor
	2002 on	Flag of the Commonwealth Games Federation	A white flag with the emblem of the Commonwealth Games Federation in the centre.
		Flag of the St John Ambulance Brigade
		Flag of Saint David	A gold cross on a black field

Historical flags

National flags and ensigns

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1953 – 1972	The Ulster Banner – Flag of the former Government of Northern Ireland between 1953 and 1972 and still used to represent Northern Ireland in some sporting events in which Northern Ireland competes. The flag is particularly associated with the Protestant community in Northern Ireland	A red cross on a white field with a red hand, on a six pointed white star, crowned (representing the six counties in Northern Ireland). The Ulster Banner ceased to be officially recognised with the passing of the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 which dissolved the Parliament of Northern Ireland.
	1606 – 1801	Flag of the Kingdom of Great Britain (From 1707)	First version of the Union Flag used in England from 1606 and Scotland from 1707 – the Flags of England and Scotland superimposed.
	17th century	Scottish Union Flag	Scottish Union Flag variant
	1783 – 1922	Saint Patrick's Saltire, also known as St Patrick's Cross, the symbol of The Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick, the British order of chivalry associated with Ireland.	A red saltire on a white field. Used to represent Ireland in the Union Flag and unofficially to represent Ireland from the Act of Union to the Anglo-Irish Treaty.
	1620 – 1707	English Red Ensign	The Red Ensign of the English Royal Navy
	1620 – 1707	English White Ensign	The White Ensign of the English Royal Navy
	1620 – 1707	English Blue Ensign	The Blue Ensign of the English Royal Navy
	Until 1707	Scottish Red Ensign, used by the Royal Scottish Navy	A red ensign with the Flag of Scotland in the canton
	1707 – 1801	Red Ensign of Great Britain	The Red Ensign with the first version of the Union Flag. (This was the flag flown over the Thirteen Colonies before the American Revolution)
	1707 – 1801	White Ensign of Great Britain	The White Ensign with the first version of the Union Flag
	1707 – 1801	Blue Ensign of Great Britain	The Blue Ensign with the first version of the Union Flag
	1649 – 1651	Flag of the Commonwealth of England	St George's Cross and an Irish Harp juxtaposed.
	1651 – 1658	Flag of the Commonwealth of England	St George's Cross and St Andrew's cross quartered.
	1658 – 1660	Flag of The Protectorate	The 1606 Union Flag defaced with an Irish Harp.

British Empire and overseas territories

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1838 – 1967	Flag of the Crown colony of Aden	A blue ensign defaced with an Arab ship inside a disc
	Until 1801 (Canada) Until 1776 (US, de facto) Until 1783 (US, de jure)	The flag of British America, part of which is now Canada and the United States	A red ensign with the first version of the Union Flag
	Until 1967	Flag of Antigua and Barbuda	A blue ensign defaced with the colonial coat of arms of Antigua
	1885 – 1958	Flag of the Crown colony of Barbados	A Blue Ensign with an emblem of Barbados
	1958 – 1966	Flag of the Crown colony of Barbados	A Blue Ensign with an emblem of Barbados
	1937 – 1948	Flag of Burma	A blue ensign defaced with a peafowl inside a disc
	1922 – 1961	Flag of the British Cameroons	A blue ensign defaced with the words British Cameroon surrounded by bananas all inside a white disc
	1868 – 1921	Flag of Canada	A red ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the Dominion of Canada
	1921 – 1957	Flag of Canada	A red ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the Dominion of Canada
	1957 – 1965	Flag of Canada	A red ensign defaced with the coat of arms of the Dominion of Canada
	1815 – 1948	Flag of Ceylon	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Ceylon
	1922 – 1960	Flag of Cyprus	A blue ensign defaced with two red lions
	1955 – 1965	Flag of Dominica	A Blue Ensign with an emblem of Dominica
	1965 – 1978	Flag of Dominica	A Blue Ensign with an emblem of Dominica
	1948 – 1999	Flag of the Falkland Islands	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of the Falkland Islands on a white disc
	1875 – 1921	Historical Government Ensign of Gibraltar	A blue ensign defaced with the badge of Gibraltar on a white disc
	1932 – 1976	Flag of Gillbert and Ellice Islands	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Gilbert and Ellice Islands
	1821 – 1957	Flag of the Crown colony of Gold Coast	A blue ensign defaced with an elephant and the letters GC under the feet of the elephant all inside a disc
	1919 – 1954	Flag of the British Guiana	A blue ensign defaced with a sailing ship and the motto inside an oval
	1807 – 1890	Flag of British Heligoland	The flag of Heligoland with The Union Flag
	1919 – 1981	Flag of British Honduras	A blue ensign defaced with a the coat of arms of British Honduras
	1870 – 1873	Flag of Hong Kong	A blue ensign defaced with the letters HK and a royal crown in a white disc
	1876 – 1910	Flag of Hong Kong	A blue ensign defaced with the Colonial Badge of Hong Kong
	1910 – 1941, 1945 – 1959	Flag of Hong Kong	A blue ensign defaced with the Colonial Badge of Hong Kong
	1959 – 1997	Flag of Hong Kong	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Hong Kong in a white disc
	Late 1980s – 1997	Unofficial merchant ensign of Hong Kong	A red ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Hong Kong in a white disc
	1858 – 1947	Flag of the Indian Empire	A red ensign defaced with the shield of the Order of the Star of India
	1858 – 1947	British Indian Blue Ensign	A Blue ensign with the Star of India, used as the naval flag
	1815 – 1864	Flag of the Ionian Islands	A blue ensign defaced with the shield of the symbol of Mark the Evangelist (symbol of the Republic of Venice)
	1875 – 1906	Colonial flag of Jamaica	A British Blue Ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of Colonial Jamaica within a white circle
	1906 – 1957	Colonial flag of Jamaica	A British Blue Ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of Colonial Jamaica within a white circle
	1957 – 1962	Colonial flag of Jamaica	A British Blue Ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of Colonial Jamaica within a white circle
	1962	Colonial flag of Jamaica	A British Blue Ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of Colonial Jamaica within a white circle
	1920 – 1963	Flag of Crown colony of Kenya	A blue ensign defaced with a red rampant lion
	1946 – 1948	Flag of the Federated Malay States	The flag was striped horizontally with an overall 1:2 to ratio with white stripe at the top, red, yellow and black at the bottom. In the centre was a white oblong, with a horizontal major axis, and a Malayan tiger (Malay: Harimau Malaya) leaping, face to the left
	1802 – 1964	Colonial flag of Malta	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of Malta in a white disc
	1674 – 1931	Colonial and dominion flag of Newfoundland	A red ensign defaced with the Great Seal of Newfoundland
	1800 – 1960	Flag of the Crown colony of Nigeria	A blue ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of the colonial Nigeria
	1882 – 1963	Flag of North Borneo	A blue ensign defaced with the badge of North Borneo
	1939 – 1953, 1963 – 1964	Flag of Northern Rhodesia	A blue ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of Northern Rhodesia
	1907 – 1953, 1963 – 1964	Flag of Nyasaland	A blue ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of Nyasaland
	1927 – 1948	Flag of the British Mandate of Palestine	A red ensign defaced with the word Palestine inside a white disc, for use by ships registered in the territory. The Union Flag was used as the general land flag of the mandate.
	1906 – 1949	Flag of the Territory of Papua	A blue ensign defaced with a crown and the word Papua underneath inside a white disc
	1958 – 1983	Flag of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla	A blue ensign defaced with the emblem of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla
100px	1875 – 1939	Flag of Saint Lucia	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of Saint Lucia
100px	1939 – 1967	Flag of Saint Lucia	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of Saint Lucia
	Until 1979	Flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	A blue ensign defaced with the Coat of arms of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
	1950 – 1960	Flag of the British Somaliland	A blue ensign defaced with the shield of arms of the British Somaliland
	1795 – 1910	Flag of the Cape Colony	A blue ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of Cape Colony
	1900 – 1910	Flag of the Orange River Colony	A blue ensign defaced with a springbok antelope in a disc
	1900 – 1910	Flag of Transvaal - "Vierkleur".	The flag features three horizontal stripes of red, white, and blue (recalling the Dutch national flag), with a vertical green stripe at the hoist, and was known as the Vierkleur (lit. four colours).
	1910 – 1912	Flag of the Union of South Africa	A red ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of the Union of South Africa
	1912 – 1928	Flag of the Union of South Africa	A red ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of the Union of South Africa inside a white disc.
	1928 – 1961	Flag of the Union of South Africa	Variation of the flag of the Dutch East India Company at the Cape (without the VOC logo in the centre) from 1652 until 1795, with three smaller flags centred in the white stripe. The smaller flags were the Union Flag towards the hoist, the Orange Free State Vierkleur hanging vertically and the Transvaal Vierkleur towards the fly. This flag continued to be used by the Republic of South Africa until 1994.
	1923 – 1953	Flag of Southern Rhodesia	A blue ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of Southern Rhodesia
	1953 – 1963	Flag of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland	A blue ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
	1963 – 1980	Flag of Rhodesia	A light blue ensign defaced with the shield-of-arms of Southern Rhodesia
	1874 – 1942	Flag of the British Straits Settlements	A blue ensign defaced with a white disc containing three gold crown; separated with a red inverted pall, which looks like an inverted Y
	1919 – 1961	Flag of Tanganyika	A red ensign defaced with the head of a giraffe in a white disc
	1889 – 1962	Colonial flag of Trinidad & Tobago	A blue ensign defaced with a circular badge depicting a ship arriving in front of a mountain
	1976 – 1978	Colonial flag of Tuvalu	A blue ensign defaced with a circular badge with a hut and the motto of Tuvalu
	1914 – 1962	Flag of Uganda	A blue ensign defaced with a Grey Crowned Crane inside a disc
	1958 – 1962	Flag of the West Indies Federation	It has four equally-spaced narrow white stripes with a large orange-gold disc over the middle two lines in the centre of the flag, undulating horizontally across a blue field

Royal standards

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1198 – 1340	Royal Banner of King Richard I	Gules, three lions passant regardant in pale or.
	1340 – 1406	Royal Banner of King Edward III	The Coat of Arms of England quartered with the Royal Standard of France, the Fleur-de-lis representing the English claim to the French throne.
	1406 – 1603	Royal Banner of King Henry IV	The French quartering has been altered to three fleurs-de-lys.
	1603 – 1649, 1660 – 1689, 1702 – 1707	Royal Standard of the House of Stuart, used first by King James VI/I	A banner of the Royal Coat of Arms of James I, first and fourth quarters representing England and the English claim to the French throne, second quarter representing Scotland, third quarter representing Ireland (This is the first time that Ireland has been represented on the Royal Standard).
	1707 – 1714	Royal Standard of the House of Stuart, under Queen Anne after the Acts of Union	A banner of the Royal Coat of Arms of Queen Anne, first and fourth quarters representing (newly unified) England and Scotland, second quarter representing the (English) claim to the French throne, third quarter representing Ireland.
100px	1701-1814	Royal Standard of the United Kingdom from 1701 to 1814.
	1814 – 1837	Royal Standard of the House of Hanover from 1814 to 1837	A banner of the Royal Coat of Arms of King George III, first and fourth quarters representing England, second quarter representing Scotland, third quarter representing Ireland, with an escutcheon for Hanover.

Members of the Royal Family

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1936 – 2002	Standard of Queen Elizabeth, consort of King George VI	The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom impaled with the Arms of the Earl of Strathmore: ("bows" and "lions")
	1910 – 1953	Standard of Queen Mary, consort of King George V	The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom impaled with the Arms of Prince Francis, Duke of Teck (the Queen's father) and Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge (the Queen's maternal grandfather)
	1901 – 1928	Standard of Queen Alexandra, consort of King Edward VII	The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom impaled with the Arms of the King of Denmark.
	1944 – 2002	Standard of Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon	The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a three point label, first and third labels bearing a Tudor rose, the second label bearing a thistle proper.
	1917 – 1981	Standard of Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone	The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom with a five point label, the first, second, fourth and fifth labels bearing a red heart, the third label bearing a red cross.

Welsh Royal Standards

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1401 – 1416	Banner adopted by Owain Glyndŵr and thought to be derived from the counter-charged arms of the princely Houses of Mathrafal and Dinefwr. It is currently in use by the National Eisteddfod for Wales, Cymdeithas yr iaith and widely amongst independentist groups	Quarterly Or and Gules, four Lions rampant counter-charged
	c.1195 – 1378	Banner of the princely House of Aberffraw and the Kingdom of Gwynedd famously used by Llywelyn the Great, Llywelyn the Last and Owain Lawgoch. The Prince of Wales uses a version of this flag today emblazoned with a Crown on a green shield	Quarterly Or and Gules, four Lions passant guardant counter-charged langued and armed Azur
	c.1100 – c.1400	Banner of the princely House of Mathrafal used during the early Middle Ages by the rulers of Powys, Powys Wenwynwyn and later by their heirs the de la Pole (Powysian) dynasty. Modern use is rare	Or a Lion rampant Gules langued and armed Azure
	c.1100 – c.1300	Banner of the princely House of Dinefwr and the Kingdom of Deheubarth, a realm which covered much of south Wales. The banner would have been used during the early Middle Ages and later by the Talbot dynasty who inherited the arms. Modern use is rare	Gules a Lion rampant Or, a border engrailed of the last
	c.1240 – 1282	Banner of the personal arms of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd	Argent three Lions passant Gules
	c.1160 – c.1350	Banner of Madog ap Gruffudd Maelor, and later the Banner of Powys Fadog	Argent a Lion rampant Sable langued and armed Gules

Battle flags

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	c.1400 – 1416	Banner known as the Y Ddraig Aur or "Golden Dragon" which has ancient origins. It was famously raised over Caernarvon during the Battle of Tuthill in 1401 by Owain Glyndwr	Argent a dragon rampant Or

Governor's flags

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1910 – 1959	Flag flown on Government House, Hong Kong and the Governor's official car during British rule	A Union Flag defaced with the then Colonial Badge of Hong Kong
	1959 – 1997	Flag flown on Government House, Hong Kong and the Governor's official car during British rule	A Union Flag defaced with the then Coat of arms of Hong Kong
	1855 – 1947	Flag used by the British Governors-General, Governors, Lieutenant Governors, Chief Commissioners and other British officers in India	A Union Flag defaced with the Star of India surmounted by the Tudor Crown.
	1875 – 1948	Flag used by the British Governor of Ceylon	A Union Flag defaced with the Coat of arms of Ceylon.
	1875 – 1906	Flag of the Governor of Jamaica	A Union Flag defaced with the Badge of Colonial Jamaica
	1906 – 1957	Flag of the Governor of Jamaica	A Union Flag defaced with the Badge of Colonial Jamaica
	1957 – 1962	Flag of the Governor of Jamaica	A Union Flag defaced with the Badge of Colonial Jamaica
	1962	Flag of the Governor of Jamaica	A Union Flag defaced with the Badge of Colonial Jamaica
	Until 1973	Personal flag of the Governor of Northern Ireland	A Union Flag defaced with the Coat of arms of Northern Ireland
	1921 – 1922	Flag of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland	A Union Flag defaced with an Irish Harp
	1955 – 1963	Flag of the British resident of Zanzibar	A Union Flag defaced with Coat of arms of British resident of Zanzibar

Other

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1600 – 1858	Flag of the English/British East India Company	Numerous white and red stripes with the St George's Cross in the canton, the number of stripes was not determined.
	1707 – 1800	Flag of the British East India Company	Numerous white and red stripes with the Union Flag of Great Britain in the canton. Accepted to be one of the inspirations for the Grand Union Flag that eventually evolved into the Flag of the United States.
	1801 – 1858	Flag of the British East India Company	Numerous white and red stripes with the Union Flag of the United Kingdom in the canton.
	1801 – 1922	Flag of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland	The Union Flag defaced with the Coat of Arms of Ireland.
	Circa 1701 – post 1800	Green Ensign	An unofficial merchant navy flag consisting of a green field with an earlier version of the golden harp and the Flag of England in the canton, no record of its actual use.
	Post 1800 – c.1922	Green Ensign	An unofficial merchant navy flag consisting of green field with golden harp and the Union Flag in the canton, no record of its actual use.

See also

• List of English flags
• List of Northern Irish flags
• List of Scottish flags
• List of Welsh flags
• List of Cornish flags

External links

• United Kingdom at Flags of the World
• British Monarchy - Union Flag
• Royal.gov.uk- The Union Flag
• Britishflags.net
• The Flag Institute
• World Flag Database
• UK Department of Culture- Ceremonial and Flag Flying
• British military flag and military color
• British Armed forces Grenadiers Color