Personal Flags

In 1960, The Queen adopted a personal flag to be flown on any building, ship, car or aircraft in which she was staying or travelling.

The Royal Standard represents not only the Sovereign but also the United Kingdom, whereas The Queen's own flag is personal to her alone and can be flown by no one other than The Queen.

The Queen's personal flag consists of the initial 'E' ensigned with the Royal crown, surrounded by a chaplet of roses.

The design is in gold (or yellow) on a blue field and the flag is fringed with gold (or yellow).

Since its introduction, the flag's use has been altered. Although it is not a 'Head of Commonwealth' flag, it has in effect become The Queen's personal Commonwealth flag. It is flown to mark her presence in non-monarchical Commonwealth countries and in realms that have not adopted a personal flag specifically for The Queen.

Some realms have adopted their own versions of the flag to be flown as a personal flag when The Queen is in their country, each one incorporating the country's arms with The Queen's personal design. The Queen's personal flag is also flown on a number of Commonwealth occasions in the United Kingdom.

In addition to his standard as Prince of Wales, the Prince has a personal flag exclusively for use in Wales. The flag is based on the Arms of the Principality of Wales, also known as the Arms of Llewelyn ap Gruffydd, the last native Prince of Wales.

The flag was flown for the first time on June 11, 1969 - three weeks before The Prince's Investiture - at Castle Green, Cardiff, for the inauguration of the Royal Regiment of Wales, of which The Prince is Colonel-in-Chief.

During the Investiture ceremony on 1 July 1969, the Standard for Wales was flown from Caernarfon Castle's Eagle Tower.

The Prince of Wales also has a personal banner for his use in Scotland, based on his Scottish titles - Duke of Rothesay, Lord of the Isles and Great Steward of Scotland.

It consists of four quarterings. The first and third feature a blue and white chequered band across a gold background, representing the Great Steward of Scotland, whilst the second and fourth quarterings show a black galley on a white background, representing the Lord of the Isles. A small shield in the centre shows the lions rampant, representing the dukedom of Rothesay.

Other children of the Sovereign have flags which feature the Scottish version of the Royal Standard, bearing heraldic 'labels' or differences to distinguish each Royal individual.

Related content

A speech by The Countess of Wessex in Kosovo

My commitment to them is that I shall also raise my own voice and continue to seek ways of ending the stigma they live with, push for opportunities for justice and encourage...

17 October 2019
Media pack

Financial reports 2006-7

The Queen as Head of State continues to cost the taxpayer just 62 pence per person per year – less than the price of two first class stamps - Buckingham Palace announced today...

Feature

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Pakistan

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex undertake a Royal visit to Pakistan

The Duke of Sussex's speech at the WellChild Awards 2019

Each of you, through your heartfelt commitments, make it possible for these and other children to live the life that they deserve – at home, with their families

16 October 2019

A speech delivered by The Duke of Cambridge at a reception hosted by the British High Commissioner to Pakistan

The view from this hill would have been quite different when my grandmother, The Queen, first visited over half a century ago. Looking out, one would have seen the beginnings...

15 October 2019
News

World Mental Health Day 2019

10 October 2019
Press release 04 October 2019

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to visit Pakistan

Read more

A speech delivered by The Duchess of Sussex at the Creative Industries and Business Reception, Johannesburg

At our visit this earlier this morning I was struck by a small sign that was posted on the wall for the female entrepreneurs – and it said: “visualize your highest self, and...

02 October 2019

Remarks made by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex at the Youth Employment Services, Johannesburg

There’s so much ingenuity here, there’s so much promise here, that given the right level of support and resources that you need, the potential is astronomical, and you can see...

02 October 2019

A speech delivered by The Duke of Sussex at the Youth Employment Services, Johannesburg

In my role as The Queen’s Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, I am so incredibly fortunate to meet young people who are determined to make a real difference and make their mark on...

02 October 2019

A speech delivered by The Duke of Sussex at The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy Dedication in Malawi

As The Queen’s Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, I am particularly proud of how this programme will create a physical legacy of Her Majesty’s leadership of the Commonwealth - not...

30 September 2019

A speech by The Duke of Sussex at the visit to The Princess Diana Orthopaedic Centre, Huambo, Angola

I am humbled and honoured that my mother’s work and commitment to demining continues to inspire and that her legacy is being recognised and celebrated today with the naming of...

27 September 2019

A speech delivered by The Duke of Sussex at a HALO Trust minefield, Dirico, Angola

Landmines are an unhealed scar of war. By clearing the landmines, we can help this community find peace, and with peace comes opportunity.

27 September 2019

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the naming ceremony for the RRS Sir David Attenborough

The RRS Sir David Attenborough is a testament to the cutting-edge science and engineering expertise right here on Merseyside.

26 September 2019
Feature

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester reopen The Princess Alice Garden

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester reopen The Princess Alice Garden

A speech delivered by The Duchess of Sussex at the visit to The Justice Desk, Nyanga Township, South Africa

You have welcomed us into this community, have been open and honest with us, both about the dangers women and children face, and about how you are addressing them.

23 September 2019

A speech by The Duke of Sussex at a visit to the Justice Desk, Cape Town, South Africa

We are so incredibly grateful to be able to listen and learn from you about the issues that define your daily lives in these communities. And that’s what this is, a community.

23 September 2019

A speech by The Countess of Wessex at the Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting, in Nairobi, Kenya

Gender equality is a fundamental right but it is not yet the reality for many

19 September 2019
Feature

The Earl of Wessex visits Malaysia and Australia with The Duke of Edinburgh International Award

The Earl of Wessex visits Malaysia and Australia with the DofE International Award

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the opening of BAFTA Piccadilly

BAFTA is an excellent British institution, and a unique charity with a truly global reach.

16 September 2019

A speech delivered by The Duchess of Sussex at the launch of the Smart Works capsule collection in London

As women, it is one hundred percent our responsibility, I think, to support and uplift each other

12 September 2019

A speech by The Duke of Sussex at the Invictus Games Foundation 5th anniversary event

I think for me this has always been about the competitors and their families. What they represent, the strength and determination, the grit, every part of it.

11 September 2019

A speech by The Duchess of Cambridge at the ‘Back to Nature’ festival at RHS Wisley Garden

The Back to Nature Festival is a fitting finale to a project I have been thrilled to be part of.

10 September 2019
Press release 03 September 2019

A message from The Queen to the people of the Bahamas

Read more

The Duke of Sussex's speech at the launch of Travalyst in Amsterdam

We have the opportunity to address this tourism paradox and turn one of the world’s biggest problems into one of its greatest solutions

03 September 2019
Feature

The Duke of York in West Yorkshire

The Duke of York in West Yorkshire
Feature

The Duke of York visits Newcastle

The Duke of York visits Newcastle
Feature

The Duke of York visits Cambridge

The Duke of York visits Cambridge