Flying the Union Flag at half-mast following the death of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah has caused some controversy among those who question the nation’s human rights record. ‘Flying flags at Half Mast on gov[ernment] buildings for the death of Saudi king is a steaming pile of nonsense. That is all.’ tweeted Scottish Conservative leader Ruth […]
Tag Archives | Flag protocol
French national day of mourning
After the attack on the Paris offices of Charlie Hebdo, the French government has declared Thursday 8 January as a national day of mourning for the twelve victims. This will be only France’s sixth national day of mourning in the past 50 years. In the UK you may fly the national flag at half-mast whenever […]
Chair of F&HC calls for immediate action on UK flag
Statement by Andrew Rosindell MP, Chair of Flags and Heraldry Committee Since our founding in 2008, the Flags and Heraldry Committee has worked with the Flag Institute to promote proper governance of our national symbols. Together we have pushed government hard to recognise the importance of the kind of basic care of our national flag […]
Historic County Flags Day
The Association of British Counties has issued a press release regarding Historic County Flags Day. The first Historic County Flags day will take place on Wednesday 23 July 2014. The Flag Institute, which maintains the UK Flag Registry, is supporting this initiative. So, too, is the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). Flag Institute CEO […]
Talks at 10 Downing Street
The Flag Institute today held high-level ministerial talks at 10 Downing Street, relating to the future of the Union flag. Andrew Rosindell MP and Lord West of Spithead (UK Parliamentary Flags and Heraldry Committee) organised the talks. John Hayes MP hosted the event in the library of 10 Downing Street. Present were the Committee’s flag […]
Chief Vexillologist on Voice of Russia panel
In a very interesting Voice of Russia broadcast on 11 March 2014, Flag Institute Chief Vexillologist Graham Bartram joined host Brendan Cole on a discussion panel. The panel also included: Liam Clarke, political editor, Belfast Telegraph David Vines White, Somerset Herald, College of Arms, London Professor Paul Ward, Head of Department of History, English Languages […]
Union Flag or Union Jack? The answer
Controversy persists about the UK’s national flag. Should it we call it the Union Flag or the Union Jack? The general public uses Union Jack almost universally. However, some believe that Union Flag is correct term and that Union Jack refers only to the flag when flown from the jack-staff in the bows of a […]
FI President on BBC World Service & CBBC Newsround
As an educational charity, the Flag Institute works hard to spread knowledge and understanding of flags to all age-groups. So we’re pleased to report that our President Malcolm Farrow recently made three media appearances in one day. He spoke to youngsters watching CBBC’s Newsround, to the international audience of the BBC World Service, and to […]
NZ Flag: speech at Victoria University
In a speech at Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has launched his proposal for a referendum on the nation’s flag. You can read the speech here. It is a most impressive, thoughtful and statesmanlike view of the significance of a national flag in the life of a country, demonstrating very clearly its […]
DCLG flys Cornwall Flag to celebrate St Piran’s Day
Cornwall has a proud heritage, a distinct Celtic identity and language, a strong mining past and modern fishing industry. St Piran is the patron saint of Cornish tin miners, and Cornwall celebrates St Piran’s Day each year on 5 March. Festivities and parades began in the late 19th and early 20th century and have become increasing […]
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