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Diplomatic flag

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A diplomatic flag is a flag used by states engaging in diplomacy which is different from the normal national flag.

Contemporary usage

Currently only two states use diplomatic flags: Thailand and the United Kingdom. Different flags are used based upon the diplomatic rank of the mission. Note that British High Commissions do not use diplomatic flags but rather the normal flag of the United Kingdom as members of the Commonwealth are not considered 'foreign' by the government of the United Kingdom.[1]

Historical diplomatic flags

The Union mark served as the diplomatic flag of Norway and Sweden 1844–1905. The proportions 4:5 were those of the Union mark in Swedish flags.

The members of the union between Sweden and Norway each had their own separate national flags, however they also had a flag named the Union mark which was used as the flag of the common diplomatic representations of both countries abroad. The diplomatic flag had the proportions 4:5 of the union mark as it appeared in Swedish flags, unlike the square shape of the Norwegian version.[2][3]

References

  1. ^ Berridge, G R; Lloyd, Lorna (2012), The Palgrave Macmillan Dictionary of Diplomacy (3rd ed.), Palgrave Macmillan, p. 104
  2. ^ Anker, C.J. (1888). "Tegninger af Norges flag i dets forskjellige skikkelser gjennem tiden". Kristiania: P.T. Mallings boghandels forlag, pp. 11–12.
  3. ^ Colour plate attached to "Cirkulär 18. Oktober 1899" from Kongl. Utrikes Departementet, Stockholm, to the consuls of the United Kingdoms