Royal Standard
The Royal Standard is the official flag of the British Queen Elizabeth II as head of state of the United Kingdom and numerous other states.
The Royal Standard used in Great Britain, just like the associated coat of arms , consists of the coats of arms of England , Scotland and Northern Ireland . In the other Commonwealth countries it is composed of the coats of arms used there. In the flag protocol, the Royal Standard has the highest ranking. It may only be hoisted on buildings in which the queen is currently staying. It flies over the Union Flag , the flags of other members of the royal families, and the flags of the states. The Royal Standard is never hoisted to half-mast because it is the symbol of the monarchy institution that lives on without interruption.
United Kingdom
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In England , Wales , Northern Ireland and other British territories , the flag is divided into four quadrants. The first and fourth quadrants represent England and show three golden lions (or leopards) on a red background. The second quadrant stands for Scotland and shows an upright red lion on a gold background. The third quadrant represents Ireland and shows the golden Irish harp on a blue background. A similar flag is used in Scotland, except that the upright Scottish lion appears in the first and fourth quadrants, but the three English lions appear in the second quadrant.
Today's Royal Standard has been used since Queen Victoria's reign , with minor changes to the way the Irish harp is presented. Earlier royal standards included the coats of arms of Hanover and France , corresponding to the position of the English kings as electors (later kings) of Hanover and the theoretical claim to the French throne. The design was mostly changed when a new monarch took office.
Australia
In Australia , the Royal Standard consists of six parts, three each in the upper and lower half. The first sixth represents New South Wales ; it shows the English cross of St. George with a golden lion in the middle and a golden star in each arm. The second sixth represents Victoria and consists of a crown and six white stars on a blue background. The third sixth stands for Queensland and shows a blue Maltese cross with a crown on a white background. The fourth sixth represents South Australia and shows a flute bird on a golden background. The fifth sixth stands for Western Australia , you can see a black swan on a golden background. In the last sixth, which stands for Tasmania , a red lion is shown on a white background.
Permitted formats are 1: 2 and 22:31. 1: 2 should be used if flags in the vicinity have similar formats. 22:31 enables a simple representation: 2 units for the border and heraldic shields each in the format 9: 9.
Barbados
In Barbados , the Royal Standard is yellow and shows a fig tree with blue leaves in the middle , surrounded by two flowers of the peacock bush ("Pride of Barbados") in the upper corners. The fig tree is partially covered by a blue disc surrounded by roses with a crowned golden "E".
Jamaica
The Jamaican Royal Standard consists of the English flag with golden pineapples in each of the arms. In the middle there is the blue disc surrounded by roses with a crowned golden "E".
Canada
The Royal Standard of Canada is based in its basic form on the Canadian national coat of arms . The four most important ethnic groups are represented in the upper two thirds: the English by three golden lions, the Scots by the red lion, the Irish by the harp and the French-Canadians by the lily. In the lower third three maple leaves can be seen on a white background, which represent the unity of the peoples. In the middle there is a blue disc surrounded by roses with a crowned golden "E".
New Zealand
In New Zealand , the Royal Standard consists of two quadrants on either side, separated in the middle by a white band. In the first quadrant there are four red stars on a blue background, which symbolize the Southern Cross , but are arranged a little differently than on the flag of New Zealand . A golden fleece on a red background in the second quadrant symbolizes sheep breeding, a golden sheaf on a red background in the third quadrant symbolizes agriculture. Two gold hammers on a blue background in the fourth quadrant represent mining. Two sailing ships can be seen in the white band in the middle , symbols of sea trade and immigration. In the center there is also a blue disc surrounded by roses with a crowned golden "E".
Other Commonwealth States
The other states of the Commonwealth do not have their own Royal Standard. Whenever the Queen is in these countries, she wears the basic flag, consisting of a crowned "E" on a blue background, surrounded by gold roses. Sierra Leone , Trinidad and Tobago and Malta used to have their own Royal Standard. However, since these states became republics , they have not been used.