The Government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for issuing the rules for hoisting the Union Jack (Flag) on Government buildings. Individuals, local authorities and other organisations may fly the Union Jack (Flag) whenever they wish, subject to compliance with any local planning requirement. Legion Branches are encouraged to use the following guidelines when flying the Union Jack (Flag).

DAYS SPECIFIED FOR FLYING THE UNION JACK (Flag)

There are 13 fixed dates each year on which the flag should be flown. While there is no formal definition of a Government building for this purpose, it is generally accepted to mean a  building owned or used by the Crown and predominately occupied or used by Civil Servants or His Majesty’s Armed Forces.

Although these regulations apply to government and other public buildings, there would be no objection, in principle, to a County/District/Branch choosing to fly their Union Jack (Flag) on some (or all) of the dates listed.

FIXED DATES

Designated days for flying the Union Jack (Flag) on UK government buildings 2023

1 March: St David’s Day (in Wales)

13 March: Commonwealth Day (second Monday in March)

17 March: St Patrick’s Day (in Northern Ireland)

9 April: His Majesty’s Wedding Day

23 April: St George’s Day (in England)

6 May: Coronation Day

17 June: Official Birthday of His Majesty The King

21 June: Birthday of The Prince of Wales

17 July: Birthday of The Queen Consort

8 September: His Majesty’s Accession

12 November: Remembrance Day (second Sunday in November)

14 November: Birthday of His Majesty The King

30 November: St Andrew’s Day (in Scotland)

NON-FIXED DAYS

March (2nd Monday) - Commonwealth Day

June (1st, 2nd or 3rd Saturday) - Official Celebration of His Majesty’s Birthday

November (2nd Sunday) - Remembrance Day (see Guidance Note 2)

To be determined - The day of the opening of a Session of the Houses of Parliament by His Majesty

To be determined - The day of the prorogation of a Session of the Houses of Parliament by His Majesty

GUIDANCE NOTES FOR FLYING THE UNION JACK (FLAG)

1. Where a building has two or more flag staffs the appropriate National flag may be flown in addition to the Union flag but not in a superior position
2. Flags should be flown at full mast all day
3. The Union Jack (flag) should fly alongside the European flag. On buildings that have only one flag pole the Union flag should take precedence
4. If the King is to be present in a building, you should get in touch with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Architecture and Historic Environment Division, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5DH. Telephone 0207 211 2381

GUIDANCE NOTES FOR FLYING THE UNION Jack (FLAG) AT HALF MAST

The occasions on which the Union Jack (flag) is to be flown at half mast (half mast means the flag is flown two-thirds up between the top and bottom of the flag staff) are:

1. From the announcement of the death of The Sovereign, except on Proclamation Day, when they are flown at full mast from 11am until sunset.
2. The funeral of members of the Royal Family, subject to special commands from His Majesty in each case.
3.  The funeral of foreign rulers, subject to special commands from His Majesty in each case.
4. The funeral of members of Prime Ministers and ex-Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom, subject to special commands from His Majesty in each case.