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
February
Saturday, 1st February 2020
Eve of Presentation of Christ in the Temple
St Peter flag
Sunday, 2nd February 2020
Presentation of Christ in the Temple
St Peter flag
Wednesday, 26th February 2020
Ash Wednesday
St Peter flag
March
Monday, 2nd March 2020
St David’s Day
Red Dragon flag
Friday, 13th March 2020
Commonwealth Day
Abbey flag and Royal Standard
Tuesday, 17th March 2020
St Patrick’s Day
St Patrick flag
Friday, 20th March 2020
St Joseph
St Peter flag
Tuesday, 24th March 2020
Eve of the Annunciation
St Peter flag
Wednesday, 25th March 2020
The Annunciation
St Peter flag
April
Tuesday, 14th April 2020
Palm Sunday
St Peter flag
Wednesday, 15th April 2020
Monday of Holy Week
No Flag
Thursday, 16th April 2020
Tuesday of Holy Week
No Flag
Friday, 17th April 2020
Wednesday of Holy Week
No Flag
Saturday, 18th April 2020
Maundy Thursday
No Flag
Sunday, 19th April 2020
Good Friday
No Flag
Monday, 20th April 2020
Holy Saturday
St Peter flag
Tuesday, 21st April 2020
Easter Day
St Peter flag
Wednesday, 22nd April 2020
Monday of Easter Week
St Peter flag
Thursday, 23rd April 2020
Tuesday of Easter Week
St Peter flag
Friday, 24th April 2020
Wednesday of Easter Week
St Peter flag
Saturday, 25th April 2020
Thursday of Easter Week
St Peter flag
Sunday, 26th April 2020
Friday of Easter Week
St Peter flag
Monday, 27th April 2020
Saturday of Easter Week
St Peter flag
Wednesday, 29th April 2020
St George
St George flag
May
Friday, 1st May 2020
St Philip and St James
St Peter flag
Thursday, 14th May 2020
St Mathias
St Peter flag
Monday, 18th May 2020
Foundation of the Order of the Bath
St Peter flag
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It’s very hard not to be enthusiastic working at the Abbey. If this place doesn’t make you smile I don’t know what will.
