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Royal Standards for Canada

Last modified: 2015-06-30 by rob raeside
Keywords: canada | queen | canada: queens standard | prince of wales | prince william | duke of cambridge |
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[Queen's standard for Canada] image by Graham Bartram


See also:


Queen Elizabeth II's personal standard in Canada

It is a banner of the arms of Canada (I'm sorry but I don't know much of blazon, but I'll try to say it: four quarters in the upper two thirds of the flag. These are: I, England (three leopards or (gold) in a gules (red) field); II, Scotland (a gules (red) lion in or (gold) field with something around it with fleurs-de-lis); III, Ireland (a or (gold) harp in an azure (blue) field); IV, France royal (three fleurs-de-lis or (gold) in an azure (blue) field). On the bottom field of the arms, is Canada ( three maple tree (?) leaves in a argent (silver) field). In the flag, there is a big E in the center. This is the same pattern as in Australia's Queen Elizabeth standard So, it would be interesting if someone sends information about the arms of other countries ruled by Queen Elizabeth II.
Joćo Madureira - 28 April 1998


She has six or possibly seven different personal flags.

There is a special one for each of Australia, Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand and possibly Barbados.

A fairly plain blue flag with a large gold "E" for use in other Commonwealth countries.

A Royal Banner, usually called the Royal Standard, for use in the United Kingdom, Crown Dependencies, Dependent Territories, and in non-Commonwealth countries when appropriate.

There used to be four other country-specific personal banners for Malta, Mauritius, Trinidad and Tobago, and Sierra Leone, but they became obsolete in 1974, 1992, 1976 and 1971 respectively when the countries concerned became republics within the Commonwealth.
David Prothero - 3 May 1998


A small, (and perhaps even pedantic) point of clarification: when in non-Commonwealth countries, the Queen flies the standard of the nation she is representing. While admitting that for most such visits she serves in the capacity of Queen of the United Kingdom, (and therefore flies the Royal Banner of that country), this is not always the case. In 1959, for example, as part of the ceremonial surrounding the opening of the St Lawrence Seaway, she visited the United States in her capacity as the Queen of Canada, (vice the UK). Unfortunately, the Queen's Personal Flag for Canada was not instituted until 1962, so she couldn't fly this banner during that tour, but she did display the Canadian coat of arms, (vice the British) throughout this tour, (i.e.., on the license plates of cars, on speakers' podiums, etc); and, of course, her personal flag for Canada is basically just these Canadian armorial bearings, displayed as a banner, centrally defaced with a wreathed "E" and crown.

Does anyone know of any other similar example of the Queen displaying her (non-UK) personal flag, in a non-Commonwealth country, (i.e.., signifying she is there representing that particular Commonwealth country, and not the UK)?

What about Australia? I seem to recall her visiting several south Pacific islands in her capacity as head of state of Australia, vice the UK? Can any one substantiate this?
Glen Hodgins - 4 May 1998


It is interesting to note that at the unveiling of the New Zealand War Memorial in London on 11 November 2006, it was her personal standard for New Zealand that flew throughout the ceremony, not the British royal standard.

And this happened in London, only a few hundred metres from Buckingham Palace.
Brent Costley, 19 February 2007


Prince of Wales personal standard in Canada

[Prince of Wales standard for Canada] image located by Dean McGee, 29 June 2011

The Federal Government has unveiled new flags for Prince Charles and Prince William for use in Canada. The Prince of Wales' flag adds the white (Argent) label to the Royal Standard, and puts the P of W's ostrich plumes in place of the Royal Cypher.
The announcement was made today via Facebook and Twitter, and the Royal Tour 2011 iPhone app.
Dean McGee, 29 June 2011

A more traditional announcement from the Governor General: http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=14174
Glen Hodgins, 29 June 2011


Duke of Cambridge personal standard in Canada

[Duke of Cambridge standard for Canada] image located by Dean McGee, 29 June 2011

The Federal Government has unveiled new flags for Prince Charles and Prince William for use in Canada. The Duke of Cambridge's flag has his label with the red escallop from his mother's family arms, and puts his own cypher in the centre, an ornate "W", topped with a ducal coronet. According to English Wikipedia the coronet for William is that of a child of the heir apparent, which is slightly different from that of other grandchildren of the sovereign.
The announcement was made today via Facebook and Twitter, and the Royal Tour 2011 iPhone app.
Dean McGee, 29 June 2011

A more traditional announcement from the Governor General: http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=14174
Glen Hodgins, 29 June 2011


2012 Jubilee flag

[2012 Jubilee flag] image located by Pete Orenski, 11 May 2012

Canadian Diamond Jubilee flags are provided by The Flag Shop Vancouver.
Pete Orenski, 11 May 2012