Heritage Structure | Section 2 – Royal standards and State personal flags

THE QUEEN'S PERSONAL CANADIAN FLAG

1. The Queen's Personal Canadian Flag (see Figure 14-2-1) shall:
   1. be flown by day and by night at any building in which the Sovereign is in residence or in which she is attending a state or public function;
   2. be flown by day and by night at defence establishments, on board a ship or boat, and on aircraft or other vehicles when the Sovereign is actually present or on board; and
   3. displace all other personal and distinguishing flags, personal standards, distinguishing pennants, and the National Flag (see also paragraph 2), and shall –
      1. not be flown on the same halyard with any other flag, and
      2. be broken immediately on arrival and lowered immediately on departure of the Sovereign.
2. The Queen's Personal Canadian Flag marks the Queen's actual location and takes precedence over a National Flag flown at the same building or location. It does not displace the National Flag flown on the main flagpole at a defence establishment unless that flagpole also marks her personal location.
3. When the Sovereign is being transported by vehicle, aircraft or boat, her Personal Canadian Flag shall be flown as prescribed in Section 3, paragraphs 22 to 27. See also Chapter 4, Section 3, paragraphs 24 to 26.

Figure 14-2-1 The Queen’s Personal Canadian Flag

THE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S FLAG

4. The Governor General's Flag (see Figure 14-2-2) has precedence over all flags in Canada except the Queen's Personal Canadian Flag and the flag of a lieutenant governor of a province at the lieutenant governor's residence, or on the occasion when the lieutenant governor is performing his or her duties as The Queen's representative in the province. The Governor General's Flag shall be flown in the same circumstances and manner, and be given the same precedence and honours, prescribed for the Queen's Personal Canadian Flag. On State visits abroad, the Governor General uses the Canadian Flag as a more universally recognized symbol of our country in place of the Governor General's flag.For more details, see the Governor General’s official website.
5. If the Governor General is visiting at the same time as the Sovereign, the Governor General's Flag shall not be flown.
6. When the Governor General is being transported by vehicle, aircraft or boat, the Governor General's Flag shall be flown as prescribed in Section 3, paragraphs 22 to 27. (See also Chapter 4, Section 3, paragraphs 27 and 28).

Figure 14-2-2 The Governor General’s Flag

PERSONAL CANADIAN FLAG OR STANDARDS OF OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY

7. When a member of the Royal Family, other than the Sovereign, is present on an official visit to a defence establishment or HMC Ship, or is being transported in an aircraft or vehicle, his or her Personal Canadian Flag or personal standard shall be flown in the manner prescribed for the Queen's Personal Canadian Flag.
8. If more than one member of the Royal Family is present on an official visit, only the Personal Canadian Flag or standard of the member who takes precedence shall be flown.
9. The Personal Canadian Flags or standards of members of the Royal Family:
   1. take precedence over, but do not displace, other personal or distinguishing flags or pennants; and
   2. shall not be hoisted on occasions of informal visits to ships or defence establishments by a member of the Royal Family.

Figure 14-2-3 The Prince of Wales’s Personal Canadian Flag

Figure 14-2-4 The Duke of Cambridge’s Personal Canadian Flag

STATE PERSONAL FLAGS FOR OTHER VISITING HEADS OF STATE

10. Although foreign Heads of State have their own flags and standards, only the foreign national flag is flown in connection with a head of state visit. The foreign flag will take precedence after the National Flag.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS' FLAGS

11. The flag of a lieutenant governor (see Figure 14-2-5) shall be flown within the limits of his or her jurisdiction when the Lieutenant Governor:
    1. is officially visiting a defence establishment, including HMC Ships; and
    2. is being transported by vehicle, aircraft or boat (see Section 3, paragraphs 22 to 27).
12. A Lieutenant Governor's flag shall be flown in the same circumstances and manner, and be given the same honours as prescribed for standards of members of the Royal Family except the Sovereign. It shall not displace distinguishing flags or pennants.

Figure 14-2-5 Example of a Lieutenant Governor’s Flag

THE DISTINGUISHING FLAGS OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENCE

13. The National Flag shall be used as a distinguishing flag for the Prime Minister and the Minister of National Defence on vehicles and aircraft. (See also Chapter 4, Section 4, paragraph 5.)