Queen's Personal Canadian Flag

Infobox flag
Name = the Queen of Canada
Article =

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Nickname = Royal Standard of Canada
Use = 010010
Symbol =
Proportion = 1:2
Adoption = 1962
Design = Shield of the Royal Arms of Canada defaced with the Queen's Royal Cypher.
Designer =
Type = Royal

The Queen's Personal Canadian Flag, sometimes called the Royal Standard of Canada, is the personal standard, or official flag, of Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada. The flag was adopted by the Queen in 1962. [Franco, Guida; "Canadian Almanac & Directory 2006"; Toronto: Micromedia ProQuest; 2006; p. 3. ISBN 1-895021-90-1.]

It is used only when the Queen is in Canada or is attending an event abroad as the Canadian head of state (for example, the commemorations at Juno Beach on June 6, 2004, and the rededication of the memorial at Vimy on April 9, 2007). The flag must be broken immediately upon the sovereign's arrival and lowered directly after her departure from any building, ship, aircraft, or other space or vehicle. The Queen's official representative, the Governor General of Canada, has a dedicated flag, as does each of the Lieutenant Governors.

As per Department of National Defence protocol, the Queen's personal standard must be flown on a flagpole bearing the crest of the Arms of Canada as the pike head. [ [http://www.saskd.ca/heritage.pdf Department of National Defence: The Honours, Flags and Heritage Structure of the Canadian Forces; pg. 280] ] The flag is not allowed to be used by any other person besides the sovereign; flags are kept at Rideau Hall and supplied to Canadian Heritage Visit Staff by the Household Staff prior to the Queen's arrival. It takes precedence above the national flag, standard of the Governor General, and those of the other members of the Canadian Royal Family, and Lieutenant Governors. [ [http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/fr-rf/drap-pers_e.cfm The Department of Canadian Heritage – The Queen's Personal Canadian Flag] ]

Design

The flag consists of the Royal Arms of Canada in banner form, defaced with one variant of the Queen's Royal Cypher: a blue disk with the initial "E," crowned, all within a wreath of roses, all gold-coloured. The disk is taken from the Queen's Personal Flag.

The first quarter at the top left is made up of three heraldic lions "passant gardant" (historically referred to as "leopards") on a red background; this is derived from the Coat of Arms of England, representing the English aspect of the monarchy and the fact that English is the most prominent official language of Canada.

The second quarter at the top right is made up of a red rampant lion within a double border with fleurs-de-lis. This is derived from the Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland; this represents the Scottish aspects of the monarchy and that the Scottish are the third largest ethnic group in Canada.

The third quarter shows the Brian Boru harp, featured in the Coat of Arms of Ireland. This represents the Irish aspects of the monarchy and the fact that the Irish are the fourth largest ethnic group in Canada.

The fourth quarter shows three "fleurs-de-lis" on a blue background. This is derived from the Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of France, representing the French aspect of the monarchy and the fact that the French ties still remain greatly as a result of the Canadian province of Quebec.

The bottom of the standard contains a sprig of three red maple leaves on a white background, representing the Canadian aspect of the monarchy, as well as the complete population of Canada regardless of ethnicity.

The sovereign's personal Canadian flag would presumably change if a new monarch having an initial other than "E" succeeds the throne (forcing a change of cypher) or a new design is approved.

Legal

The Standard/flag is protected under the "Trade-marks Act". Section 9(a) "Prohibited Marks" states:

ee also

* Flags of the Lieutenant Governors of Canada
* Royal Standard
* National symbols of Canada

References