PERSONAL FLAG FOR QUEEN

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29382, 8 December 1960, Page 12

PERSONAL FLAG FOR QUEEN

Royal Standard Will Still Be Used (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, December 6. The Queen has adopted a new personal flag to be flown where she is present in person or in residence, Buckingham Palace announced last night. It will be seen for the first time during the Royal visit to India and Pakistan next month. “The flag is in no way intended to supplant the Royal Standard,” the announcement said. “But whereas the Standard is , especially associated with the United Kingdom, the new flag will be entirely personal to her Majesty and not specifically associated with any one of the nations of the Commonwealth of which she is the head.” The square flag consists of the initial “E” ensigned with the Royal Crown, the whole within a chaplet of roses, all in gold—or yellow—on a blue field. It will be edged or fringed in gold. Informed sources said the flag was the Queen’s own idea. The design of the chaplet of roses was chosen by her as symbolising all Commonwealth countries, large and small. The Governments of all Commonwealth countries were told about the flag before the announcement. The existing Royal Standard has since 1837—the year of the accession of Queen Victoria—consisted of the quartered arms of England, Scotland, and Ireland. It shows the lions of England in its first and fourth quarterings, the lion rampant of Scotland in its second and the Irish harp in its third.