News & Grants
Baldwin Lonsdale of Vanuatu: flag instructions
19 June 2017Learning with sadness of the death of Baldwin Lonsdale, President of the Republic of Vanuatu, who died on 17 June 2017, special instructions have been received that all Union flags on the buildings of Her Majesty's Government should be lowered to half-mast as soon as possible today (19 June 2017) until 2000 hours tomorrow (20 June).
Any other UK national flags flown alongside the Union Flag when it is at half-mast should also be at half-mast. If a flag of a foreign nation is normally flown on the same stand as the Union Flag, it should be removed.
Flags should be raised to full mast no later than 0800 on Wednesday 21 June to mark the State Opening of Parliament.
Local authorities are not bound by this request but may wish to follow it for guidance. Devolved administrations are responsible for issuing instructions for the flying of the Union Flag on buildings in their estate and others as necessary. Enquiries regarding the correct protocols for the flying of Union and other flags should be addressed to the Officer in Waiting at the College of Arms in the first instance.
Finsbury Park attack
19 June 2017As a mark of respect for those that were killed and injured in the atttack in Finsbury Park, London, yesterday, all Departments of Her Majesty's Government will lower their Union Flag to half-mast from 1 p.m. this afternoon 19 June 2017. Other UK national flags flown alongside the Union Flag when it is at half-mast should also be at half-mast. If a flag of a foreign nation is normally flown on the same stand as the Union Flag, it should be removed.
If the Armed Forces Flag is being flown, it should be replaced by a Union Flag flown at half-mast.
Local authorities are not bound by this request but may wish to follow it for guidance. Devolved administrations are responsible for issuing instructions for the flying of the Union Flag on buildings in their estate and others as necessary.
Grenfell Tower: flag instructions
16 June 2017As a mark of respect for those that have died and been injured in the fire at Grenfell Tower, Kensington, the Prime Minister has asked that all Departments of Her Majesty's Government lower their Union Flag to half-mast from 07:00 this morning Friday 16 June 2017.
Any other UK national flags flown alongside the Union Flag when it is at half-mast should also be at half-mast. If a flag of a foreign nation is normally flown on the same stand as the Union Flag, it should be removed.
Flags will be raised to full mast no earlier than 20:00 today, but before 08:00 on Saturday 17 June.
Local authorities are not bound by this request but may wish to follow it for guidance. Devolved administrations are responsible for issuing instructions for the flying of the Union Flag on buildings in their estate and others as necessary.
London Bridge Attack: flag instructions
04 June 2017Following the attack at London Bridge in the evening of 3 June, instructions have been received that all buildings of Her Majesty's Government should fly the Union Flag at half-mast from 0700 today 4 June 2017. Other UK national flags flown alongside the Union Flag when it is at half-mast should also be at half-mast. If a flag of a foreign nation is normally flown on the same stand as the Union Flag, it should be removed.
A minute's silence will be held at all UK Government Buildings on Tuesday 6 June at 1100. Others may follow suit.
Flags should remain at half-mast until at least 2000 on Tuesday 6 June and be raised to full mast before 0800 on Wednesday 7 June.
Local authorities are not bound by this request but may wish to follow it for guidance. Devolved administrations are responsible for issuing instructions for the flying of the Union Flag on buildings in their estate and others as necessary.
Manchester: flag instructions
23 May 2017As a mark of respect for those that were killed and injured in Manchester yesterday, all Departments of Her Majesty's Government will lower their Union Flag to half-mast from 8 a.m. this morning 23 May 2017. Other UK national flags flown alongside the Union Flag when it is at half-mast should also be at half-mast. If a flag of a foreign nation is normally flown on the same stand as the Union Flag, it should be removed.
A minute's silence will be observed on 25 May 2017 at 11 a.m. Flags should remain at half-mast until 8 p.m. on that day and be raised to full mast before 8 a.m. on Friday 26 May.
Local authorities are not bound by this request but may wish to follow it for guidance. Devolved administrations are responsible for issuing instructions for the flying of the Union Flag on buildings in their estate and others as necessary.
