Flag days
The two magnificent west towers, above the Great West Door, were the last major construction work to be carried out on the Abbey, constructed from Portland stone between 1722 and 1745 to a design by Nicholas Hawksmoor.
On top of the north tower sits a flag pole on which the Abbey flies flags - of the Commonwealth Nations, the Flag of St Peter, the Abbey Flag, the Union Flag, the Flags of the National Saints, the Royal Air Force Flag, and the Royal Standard.
The Flag of St Peter
Red with a pair of Golden Cross Keys, together with the Ring of St Edward the Confessor. This flag combines the symbols of the two Patron Saints of the Abbey: the ring of St Edward the Confessor, king of England 1043–1066 and founder of the Abbey in 1065; and the keys of St Peter, keeper of the keys to the kingdom of heaven, after whom the Abbey was named when it was re-founded as a Collegiate Church in 1579. It is flown on most Church Festivals, such as the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Christmas Day.
The Abbey Flag
This bears the coat of arms of Westminster Abbey, and is flown during a State Visit on the day when the Head of State visits the Grave of The Unknown Warrior.
Other Flags
The Union Flag is flown on Remembrance Sunday.
The Flags of the National Saints; George, Andrew, and Patrick, are flown on their respective days, and the Welsh Dragon Flag is flown on St David's Day.
The Royal Air Force Flag is flown on the Commemoration of the Battle of Britain.
The Royal Standard is flown whenever the Sovereign is within the Abbey or its Precincts. It is also flown whenever the Sovereign opens Parliament, a privilege granted by King Edward VII.
A National Flag is flown on the day when the High Commission of a Commonwealth member state is represented at Evensong.
Flag day calendar
October
Thursday, 29th October 2020
Ss Simon and Jude
St Peter flag
Saturday, 31st October 2020
Eve of All Saints’
St Peter flag
November
Sunday, 1st November 2020
All Saints’ Day
St Peter flag
Monday, 2nd November 2020
All Souls’ Day
St Peter flag
Saturday, 7th November 2020
Field of Remembrance
Union flag
Sunday, 8th November 2020
Field of Remembrance
Union flag
Monday, 9th November 2020
Field of Remembrance
Union flag
Tuesday, 10th November 2020
Field of Remembrance
Union flag
Wednesday, 11th November 2020
Remembrance Sunday
Royal Standard
Friday, 13th November 2020
Field of Remembrance & Remembrance Sunday
Union flag
Tuesday, 24th November 2020
Christ the King
St Peter flag
Monday, 30th November 2020
St Andrew’s Day
Saltire
December
Tuesday, 8th December 2020
Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
St Peter flag
Thursday, 24th December 2020
Christmas Eve
St Peter flag
Friday, 25th December 2020
Christmas Day
St Peter flag
Saturday, 26th December 2020
St Stephen
St Peter flag
Sunday, 27th December 2020
St John
St Peter flag
Monday, 28th December 2020
The Holy Innocents
St Peter flag
Thursday, 31st December 2020
Eve of The Naming and Circumcision of Jesus
St Peter flag
January
Saturday, 2nd January 2021
The Naming and Circumcision of Jesus
St Peter flag
Tuesday, 5th January 2021
Eve of Epiphany, Death of St Edward the Confessor
St Peter flag
Wednesday, 6th January 2021
Epiphany
St Peter flag
Monday, 25th January 2021
Conversion of St Paul
St Peter flag
February
Monday, 1st February 2021
Eve of Presentation of Christ in the Temple
St Peter flag
Tuesday, 2nd February 2021
Presentation of Christ in the Temple
St Peter flag
Friday, 26th February 2021
Ash Wednesday
St Peter flag
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At different times of the day, or in different seasons, the light falling in the Abbey will light up something that you have walked past a million times and never seen before.
