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
March
Wednesday, 1st March 2023
St David’s Day
Red Dragon flag
Thursday, 2nd March 2023
Ash Wednesday
St Peter flag
Tuesday, 14th March 2023
Commonwealth Day
Abbey flag and Royal Standard
Friday, 17th March 2023
St Patrick’s Day
St Patrick flag
Sunday, 19th March 2023
St Joseph
St Peter flag
Friday, 24th March 2023
Eve of the Annunciation
St Peter flag
Saturday, 25th March 2023
The Annunciation
St Peter flag
April
Monday, 10th April 2023
Palm Sunday
St Peter flag
Tuesday, 11th April 2023
Monday of Holy Week
No Flag
Wednesday, 12th April 2023
Tuesday of Holy Week
No Flag
Thursday, 13th April 2023
Wednesday of Holy Week
No Flag
Friday, 14th April 2023
Maundy Thursday
No Flag
Saturday, 15th April 2023
Good Friday
No Flag
Sunday, 16th April 2023
Holy Saturday
St Peter flag
Monday, 17th April 2023
Easter Day
St Peter flag
Tuesday, 18th April 2023
Monday of Easter Week
St Peter flag
Wednesday, 19th April 2023
Tuesday of Easter Week
St Peter flag
Thursday, 20th April 2023
Wednesday of Easter Week
St Peter flag
Friday, 21st April 2023
Thursday of Easter Week
St Peter flag
Saturday, 22nd April 2023
Friday of Easter Week
St Peter flag
Sunday, 23rd April 2023
Saturday of Easter Week
St Peter flag
Sunday, 23rd April 2023
St George
St George flag
May
Monday, 1st May 2023
St Philip and St James
St Peter flag
Sunday, 14th May 2023
St Mathias
St Peter flag
Thursday, 18th May 2023
Foundation of the Order of the Bath
St Peter flag
Monday, 22nd May 2023
Eve of Pentecost
St Peter flag
Thursday, 25th May 2023
Eve of the Ascension
St Peter flag
Friday, 26th May 2023
Ascension Day
St Peter flag
Wednesday, 31st May 2023
The Visitation of Our Lady to St Elizabeth
St Peter flag
June
Friday, 2nd June 2023
Coronation Day [1953]
St Peter flag
Saturday, 3rd June 2023
Corpus Christi
St Peter flag
