The US state of Utah has a new state flag – but only by five votes. The flag bill now awaits the signature of the state governor before it becomes law. As reported in Flagmaster 165, the new flag features a prominent gold hexagon containing a beehive and a five-pointed Utah star. The hexagon represents […]
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Coronation emblem revealed
Buckingham Palace has revealed King Charles III’s official coronation emblem, created by Sir Jony Ive. Sir Jony is famed for his innovative, sleek designs for Apple, including the iPhone, and for his LoveFrom creative collective. The coronation emblem, however, is a more traditional image. It combines the national emblems – roses, thistles, daffodils and shamrocks […]

Flags for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
HM Queen Elizabeth II has reigned for longer than any other British monarch and celebrates her Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Flags, of course, will play a big part in the festivities. There is no official Platinum Jubilee flag so various styles are available – including many that display the official Platinum Jubilee Emblem (shown left). […]

Flag of Ukraine
The Blue-and-Yellow and its struggle to fly. The sky blue and yellow of the flag of Ukraine have become the symbol of international solidarity with the Ukrainian people and of protest against the Russian invasion. Except in Russia and a few satellite states, the Ukrainian flag is flying widely. And its colours light up famous […]

A New Flag for the House of Commons
Tuesday 11 May 2021 saw the first flying of a new flag for the House of Commons. Graham Bartram, Chief Vexillologist of the Flag Institute, designed it at the request of the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle. The flag consists of a gold parliamentary portcullis and coronet on a field of House of Commons green. The […]

Half mast for HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
Following the very sad news of the death of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, flags will be flown at half-mast from now until, and including, the day of the funeral, unless Her Majesty The Queen issues special commands. The funeral arrangements will be announced by Buckingham Palace and published on the Royal website. […]
Union Flag: new official guidance
Following the publication of new official guidance, the Union flag is set to fly year round on UK Government buildings in England, Scotland and Wales. The current guidance requires only that UK Government buildings in these three countries fly the Union flag on designated days. From summer 2021, however, the Union flag will fly daily […]

More flags at UK Parliament
Flags are flying in the House of Commons precincts, an historic first that sends an ‘important message of welcome’ to all. Following a Commonwealth Day ceremony on Monday 8 March, three flagpoles now stand at ground level in New Palace Yard. The location offers much greater visibility than the existing flagpoles high on Portcullis House […]

To flag or not to flag
According to The Guardian newspaper, the British government has changed the policy on flying flags on royal birthdays, with local authorities no longer required to raise the Union Flag for Prince Andrew. The Queen’s second son withdrew from public life and royal duties after a disastrous television interview defending his friendship with the late US […]
Half-masting for Barcelona
Following the terrorist attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils, and the tragic deaths that resulted, it is appropriate that flags should be flown at half-mast on Friday 18th August. The guidance issued by HM Government states only one day of half-masting, but in previous incidents we have had three days of half-masting, so flags could also […]