Today we are all Londoners

The United Kingdom's "Union Flag"

By BonnieBlueFlag

I've seen several suggestions today that as a show of support for the British, we should display the "Union Jack." I think that would be a nice gesture, provided we don't negate our good intentions, by our lack of knowledge about the United Kingdom's flag.

Many years ago, as English Royalty was being received at the White House, our honored guests remarked that we were flying their flag upside down. It was a terribly embarrassing moment for our State Department, the President, and everyone involved. It was also the first time that I became aware, that there was an upside down to the "Union 'Jack' Flag."

Originally known simply as the "Jack," or the "King's Jack." It was commonly called the "Union Jack" by the second half of the 1600s.

In the very late 1800s the term "Union Flag" had come into use, and was slowly replacing "Union Jack." Then in 1908 Parliament stated that the "Union Jack" should be regarded as the "National Flag."

Today "Union Jack" is the proper name for the flag when flown on a ship, and it should be called the "Union Flag" elsewhere. The terms are not interchangeable.

If you will look closely at the above picture of the "Union Flag," you will begin to notice, that there are subtle differences not noticeable to the untrained eye.

The "Union Flag" is the national flag of the United Kingdom, and is comprised of St. Andrew's flag for Scotland, St. Patrick's flag for Ireland, and St. George's flag for England.



St. Andrew's Flag



St. Patrick's Flag



St. George's Flag



The Union Flag of the United Kingdom.
Per the Buckingham Palace Press Office, the "Union Flag" is flown correctly when the cross of St. Andrew is above that of St. Patrick at the hoist (as the earlier of the two to be placed on the flag, the cross of St. Andrew is entitled to the higher position) and below it at the fly; in other words, at the end next to the pole the broad white stripe goes on top.

The St. David's flag of Wales, was later incorporated into the Standard of the Prince of Wales.

St. David's Flag

I hope you will find this brief history of the "Union 'Jack' Flag" interesting, as well as useful.�

written by: BonnieBlueFlag