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Symbols

The Royal Standard

The Royal Standard is only flown when the Sovereign is present
© Crown copyright

ROYAL STANDARD

The Royal Standard represents the Sovereign and the United Kingdom.

The Royal Standard is flown when The Queen is in residence in one of the Royal Palaces, on The Queen’s car on official journeys and on aircraft (when on the ground).

It may also be flown on any building, official or private (but not ecclesiastical buildings), during a visit by The Queen, if the owner or proprietor so requests.

The Royal Standard also used to be flown on board the Royal Yacht, when it was in service and The Queen was on board.

Since the Union of the Crowns in 1603, the composition of the Royal Standard has taken various forms. In today’s Standard there are four quarterings – two for England (three lions passant), one for Scotland (a lion rampant) and one for Ireland (a harp).

Wales is not represented in the Royal Standard, as its special position as a Principality was recognised by the creation of the Prince of Wales long before the incorporation of the quarterings for Scotland and Ireland in the Royal Arms.

Ceremony and Symbol
	Symbols The Royal Standard The Royal Standard is only flown when the Sovereign is present © Crown copyright ROYAL STANDARD The Royal Standard represents the Sovereign and the United Kingdom. The Royal Standard is flown when The Queen is in residence in one of the Royal Palaces, on The Queen’s car on official journeys and on aircraft (when on the ground). It may also be flown on any building, official or private (but not ecclesiastical buildings), during a visit by The Queen, if the owner or proprietor so requests. The Royal Standard also used to be flown on board the Royal Yacht, when it was in service and The Queen was on board. Since the Union of the Crowns in 1603, the composition of the Royal Standard has taken various forms. In today’s Standard there are four quarterings – two for England (three lions passant), one for Scotland (a lion rampant) and one for Ireland (a harp). Wales is not represented in the Royal Standard, as its special position as a Principality was recognised by the creation of the Prince of Wales long before the incorporation of the quarterings for Scotland and Ireland in the Royal Arms.
How the Monarchy works? Queen and State Queen and public Queen and Commonwealth Royal finances The Royal Household	The Royal Standard in Scotland The Royal Standard in Scotland features two Scottish quarterings instead of two English quarterings © Crown copyright In Scotland a different version of the Royal Standard is used, with two Scottish quarterings instead of two English quarterings. The Royal Standard is only flown when the Sovereign is present. If the Union Jack is flying above Buckingham Palace instead of the Standard, The Queen is not in residence. When The Queen goes to Parliament, the Royal Standard flies from Victoria Tower. Unlike the Union flag, the Royal Standard is never flown at half mast, even after the death of a monarch, as there is always a Sovereign on the throne. Next section Have you seen… The Queen A biography of the Head of State