Last modified: 2003-07-05 by rob raeside
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The flags flown on Britannia were first specified in Regulations of 1824,
confirmed by Order in Council 3 July 1833, but were based on a custom that
probably began at the restoration of the monarchy in 1660. Charles II returned
to England in the Naseby flying, in addition to the usual flags, the anchor flag
of the Lord High Admiral (LHA) at the foremast, the
Royal Standard at the main, and the
Union Jack at the mizzen (mast near the stern). The significance was said to
be;
Lord High Admiral - I am the source, from which are
derived the powers of the Lord High Admiral.
Royal Standard - I am Charles.
Union Jack - I am King of Britain.
At that time it was normal for ships above a certain size to have three masts,
but when Britannia was built at least one otherwise unnecessary mast was added,
in order that flags could be hoisted at three mastheads.
When no member of the royal family was on board, the jack and ensign were worn
in the normal fashion whether at sea or in port. I believe the captain of the
royal yacht was a commodore, so there was always at least a
commodore's broad pennant at the fore mast. When
a member of the royal family was on board the jack and
ensign were flown night and day, whether in port or at
sea. In addition the appropriate flags were flown at the mastheads. There were
some interesting combinations when the Queen visited a Commonwealth country, or
when the senior member of the royal family was someone other than the Queen.
Queen in Jamaica.
Lord High Admiral - Jamaican
Royal Standard - Jamaican National Flag.
Queen in South Africa.
Lord High Admiral - Big 'E' -
Union Jack
Prince Charles.
Vice-Admiral's Flag - Prince of
Wales Standard - Trinity House Jack.
Charles is only a Rear-Admiral, so there must have been a Vice-Admiral on board
who out-ranked him. See also our page on the Trinity House Jack
for the use of this flag by the Prince of Wales.
Duke of Edinburgh.
Admiral of the Fleet -
Duke of Edinburgh's Standard - ?
The Admiral of the Fleet's Flag is a Union Jack; I cannot identify the flag at
the mizzen. It is the flag of St George with a yellow emblem in the centre of
the cross.
David Prothero, 28 March 2003
I saw the same picture and went through the Duke of Edinburgh's listing of positions held (I just don't know how he finds the time!). The things that seemed possibly flag-related were: