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
May
Wednesday, 29th May 2019
Eve of the Ascension
St Peter flag
Thursday, 30th May 2019
Ascension Day
St Peter flag
Friday, 31st May 2019
The Visitation of Our Lady to St Elizabeth
St Peter flag
June
Sunday, 2nd June 2019
Coronation Day [1953]
St Peter flag
Saturday, 8th June 2019
Eve of Pentecost
St Peter flag
Sunday, 9th June 2019
Pentecost
St Peter flag
Tuesday, 11th June 2019
St Barnabas
St Peter flag
Saturday, 15th June 2019
Eve of Trinity
St Peter flag
Sunday, 16th June 2019
Trinity Sunday
St Peter flag
Thursday, 20th June 2019
Corpus Christi
St Peter flag
Tuesday, 25th June 2019
The Birth of St John The Baptist
St Peter flag
Friday, 28th June 2019
Eve of St Peter
St Peter flag
Saturday, 29th June 2019
St Peter
St Peter flag
July
Wednesday, 3rd July 2019
St Thomas
St Peter flag
Thursday, 11th July 2019
St Benedict
St Peter flag
Saturday, 20th July 2019
St Margaret
St Peter flag
Tuesday, 23rd July 2019
St Mary Magdalene
St Peter flag
Thursday, 25th July 2019
St James
St Peter flag
August
Tuesday, 6th August 2019
The Transfiguration of Our Lord
St Peter flag
Wednesday, 14th August 2019
Eve of The Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary
St Peter flag
Thursday, 15th August 2019
The Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary
St Peter flag
Saturday, 24th August 2019
St Bartholomew
St Peter flag
September
Sunday, 8th September 2019
Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary
St Peter flag
Saturday, 14th September 2019
Holy Cross Day
St Peter flag
Monday, 16th September 2019
Battle of Britain Sunday
RAF Ensign
Saturday, 21st September 2019
St Matthew
St Peter flag
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It’s a privilege to live and work here – the Abbey really is the heart of the country and its history.
