The following guidance is circulated by Her Majesty’s Command to the Government Offices concerned.

The guidance applies to UK Government buildings in England, Scotland and Wales.

Dates on which flags are to be flown?

Following the publication of the Governance of Britain White Paper, the Government has given UK Government Departments the freedom to fly the Union Flag on their buildings whenever they wish beyond the 18 established flag flying days.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will inform departments of any other occasions when Her Majesty has given a special command.

Definition of a Government building

It is generally accepted that a UK Government building for the purposes of flag flying is a building that is owned or used by the Crown and/or predominantly occupied or used by Civil Servants or Her Majesty’s Armed Forces.

The Scottish Executive or Welsh Assembly are responsible for drawing up their own flag flying guidance for their buildings.

Patron saints days

On St George’s Day the Cross of St George may be flown from UK government buildings in England with two or more flags poles. Similarly, in Scotland and Wales, the national flag may be flown on UK Government buildings with two or more flag poles on St Andrew’s Day and St David’s Day respectively. UK Government Departments with headquarters buildings in the wider London Whitehall area, (including, for example, Cockspur Street and Victoria Street SW1) may also choose to fly the Saltire and Welsh Dragon, alongside the Union Flag, on the relevant saints’ days if they wish. In these instances the Union Flag should be flown in the superior position see Frequently Asked Questions.

How the Union flag should be flown

The broader diagonal white stripe should be at the top left hand side of the flag nearest the flagpole.

 

When the Union Flag should be flown at half mast

Occasions on which the Union Flag is to be flown at half mast (half mast means the flag is flown two-thirds up between the top and bottom of the flagstaff):

a) from the announcement of the death of The Sovereign, except on Proclamation Day, when they are flown at full mast from 11am to sunset;

In the following cases, half-mastings will be by special command from Her Majesty:

b) the death of a member or near relative of the Royal Family or the funeral of members of the Royal Family;
c) the funerals of foreign Rulers; and
d) the funerals of Prime Ministers and ex-Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom, subject to special commands from Her Majesty in each case.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will inform departments of any other occasions when Her Majesty has given a special command.

Contact for further advice

Ceremonial Liaison Officer
Department for Culture, Media and Sport,
2-4 Cockspur Street
London SW1Y 5DH
Telephone: 020 7211 2381
Facsimile: 020 7211 6130

Last updated 24 July 2008