The Flag Institute mourns the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle on 8 September 2022.
Her long reign has been inspirational and we will miss her steadfast hand at the helm of all her realms.
Truly the age of HM Queen Elizabeth II has passed and the world is poorer for it.
Our deepest sympathies are with HM King Charles III and the members of the Royal Family.
GOD SAVE THE KING!
Flags should fly at half-mast from 8 September until 8am on Monday 19 September.
On Proclamation Day – 10 September (England) and 11 September (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) – flags will fly at full-mast after the proclamation at 11am.
Note: you do not need to remove mourning cravats.
Half-masting
Here is some basic information on flying flags at half-mast:
- Half-mast means flying the flag two-thirds of the way up the flagpole.
- At least the height of the flag should remain between the top of the flag and the top of the flagpole.
- Flags cannot be flown at half-mast on poles over 45° from the vertical.
- Instead attach a black ribbon or cravat to the top corner of the flag nearest the hoist as an alternative mark of mourning.
- To fly a flag at half-mast, raise to the top of the flagpole, hold briefly, then lower to the correct position.
- To lower a flag from half-mast, raise to the top of the flagpole, hold briefly, then lower in full.
- If a British national flag is flying at half-mast on a stand of flagpoles, all other flags must be at half-mast or not flown.
Flags that can fly at half-mast
These include the Union Flag, British ensigns, the flags of England, Scotland and Wales, county flags, community flags, house flags, and banners of arms
Do not fly the flag of any other nation, or non-British organisation, unless their nation is also observing mourning or has given special permission to fly its flag at half-mast.
The other realms of HM The Queen will also be observing national mourning, so these flags can also fly at half-mast:
- Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.
President Biden has ordered that USA flags should fly at half-mast until the day of the funeral.
Contacted by the Flag Institute, the Ukrainian Embassy has allowed the Ukrainian flag to fly at half-mast for the period of national mourning.
Note: the Royal Standard never flies at half-mast as it represents the Monarchy, which is continuous.
If His Majesty is in a building or its precincts, the Royal Standard should fly at full-mast.
A stand of four flags: UK, Canada, Germany and Buckinghamshire
The same stand at half-mast. Germany is not observing national mourning for Her Majesty and so its flag needs to be removed. Canada, as a Commonwealth realm, is observing national mourning so it can remain
Mourning cravats
This is a black cravat or ribbon added to the top of the flag, at the hoist, as an alternative mark of mourning when half-masting is unsuitable.
It is a simple bow of any available black fabric with long tails, similar to a tied shoelace.
To improve visibility, we suggest adding a cravat to the obverse and reverse of any flag flying outside.
Flags using mourning cravats: an indoor flag on a stand, two flags on angled poles and a flag displayed against a wall
