Queen Elizabeth II - Personal Flag for Australia

The Queen’s Personal Flag for Australia

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had a special flag that was flown only on those occasions when she was visiting Australia. The flag was approved by Her Majesty on 20 September 1962 and first used during the 1963 royal visit.

The flag consists of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms with a large gold seven-pointed Federation Star overlapping it in the centre. Within the Federation Star is Her Majesty's initial ‘E’ in gold, and above it rests a stylised St Edward crown, enclosed by a garland (a ‘chaplet’) of gold roses and set on a blue roundel.

Her Majesty’s personal flag for Australia was used in the same way as the Royal Standard in the United Kingdom.

The flag was broken in HMA Ships, or on official buildings or in enclosures only on occasions when Her Majesty the Queen was actually present. The exception to this rule was parades on shore in honour of the Sovereign’s birthday, when the flag, if available, was to be flown even if Her Majesty was not present. When it was flown on or outside a building, no other flag was to be flown with it.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is ferried across Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra during the 2011 Royal Visit. Note the presence of her personal flag flying in the bows of the royal barge.

When the Queen embarked in one of HMA Ships or boats, the distinguishing flag or pennant of any Flag Officer or Commodore which may be flying in that vessel was to be shifted to another. In a private ship the masthead pennant was always displaced when the standard was broken.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is ferried across Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra during the 2011 Royal Visit. Note the presence of her personal flag flying in the bows of the royal barge.

HMAS Torrens (II) acted as the Escort for the Royal Squadron in September 1981. Members of ship's company can be seen here, preparing to hoist Her Majesty's personal flag.

Following the passing of Her Majesty on 8 September 2022, her personal flag will be laid up and no longer flown.