Flag Flying Days

When should Union flags be flown?

Union flags are flown on Government and public buildings by command of Her Majesty. And should be flown from 8AM to Sunset.

Union Flag flying days :

January :
20 January: Birthday of The Countess of Wessex
27 January : Holocaust Day

February :
6 February : Her Majesty’s Accession
19 February : Birthday of The Duke of York

March :
2nd Monday: Commonwealth Day
10 March : Birthday of The Earl of Wessex
Second Monday in March : Commonwealth Day

April :
21 April : Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen
23 April : St George's Day

May :
9 May : Europe Day

June :
2 June : Coronation Day
10 June : Birthday of The Duke of Edinburgh
21 June : Birthday of Prince William
June as appointed : Official Celebration of Her Majesty’s Birthday

August :
15 August : Birthday of The Princess Royal

September :
15 September : Birthday of Prince Harry

October :
21 October : Trafalgar Day
October : United Nations Day

November :
11 November : Remembrance Day
Second Sunday in November : Remembrance Sunday
14 November : Birthday of The Prince of Wales
20 November : Her Majesty’s Wedding Day

Other special days at Her Majesty's command


How should the Union Flag be flown?
The correct way up for the Union Flag when flying is with the broader diagonal white stripe at the top left hand side of the flag nearest the flagpole : 

                            Correct flying for Union Flag                           

The Union Flag must always be flown in a 'superior' position : 

• On the highest flagpole 
• On the centre flagpole where there is an odd number of poles of the same height, or
• On the left centre flagpole viewed from the front of the building, where there is an even number of the same height. 

What is half-mast and when should flags be flown at half mast?
When flags are to be flown at half-mast they should be two-thirds up between the top and bottom of the flagstaff with at least the height of the flag between the top of the flag and the top of the flagpole.

When raising the flag it should always be hoisted right up and then lowered back down to half-mast. Likewise before it is lowered at sunset, it should first be hoisted right up and then lowered back down.

Flags should be flown at half-mast on the following occasions

• From the announcement of the death up to the funeral of the Sovereign, except on Proclamation Day (the Day of the announcement of the Accession of the new Sovereign), when the flags are hoisted right up from 11:00am to sunset,
• 
  In the event of the death of a member of the Royal Family, flags should be lowered from the day of death to the day of the funeral, subject to special commands from Her Majesty in each case,
• 
  The funerals of foreign rulers, subject to special commands from Her Majesty in each case,
• 
  The funerals of Prime Ministers and ex-Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom, subject to special commands from Her Majesty in each case,

What Happens when flag flying days coincide with days for flying flags at half-mast?

Flags should be flown right up :

• although a member of the Royal Family, or a near relative of the Royal Family, may be lying dead, unless special commands are received from Her Majesty to the contrary, and
• although it may be the day of the funeral of a foreign ruler.