Westminster Abbey and Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The Abbey remains open for worship and you are welcome to join us at our daily Eucharist service if you are able to travel here safely within current government guidelines.
However, for the time being we are unable to open the Abbey and St Margaret’s Church for general visiting.
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
January
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
Wednesday, 17th February 2021
Ash Wednesday
St Peter flag
March
Monday, 1st March 2021
St David’s Day
Red Dragon flag
Monday, 8th March 2021
Commonwealth Day
Abbey flag and Royal Standard
Wednesday, 17th March 2021
St Patrick’s Day
St Patrick flag
Friday, 19th March 2021
St Joseph
St Peter flag
Wednesday, 24th March 2021
Eve of the Annunciation
St Peter flag
Thursday, 25th March 2021
The Annunciation
St Peter flag
Sunday, 28th March 2021
Palm Sunday
St Peter flag
Monday, 29th March 2021
Monday of Holy Week
No Flag
Tuesday, 30th March 2021
Tuesday of Holy Week
No Flag
Wednesday, 31st March 2021
Wednesday of Holy Week
No Flag
April
Thursday, 1st April 2021
Maundy Thursday
No Flag
Friday, 2nd April 2021
Good Friday
No Flag
Saturday, 3rd April 2021
Holy Saturday
St Peter flag
Sunday, 4th April 2021
Easter Day
St Peter flag
Monday, 5th April 2021
Monday of Easter Week
St Peter flag
Tuesday, 6th April 2021
Tuesday of Easter Week
St Peter flag
Wednesday, 7th April 2021
Wednesday of Easter Week
St Peter flag
Thursday, 8th April 2021
Thursday of Easter Week
St Peter flag
Friday, 9th April 2021
Friday of Easter Week
St Peter flag
Saturday, 10th April 2021
Saturday of Easter Week
St Peter flag
Friday, 23rd April 2021
St George
St George flag
May
Saturday, 1st May 2021
St Philip and St James
St Peter flag
Wednesday, 12th May 2021
Eve of the Ascension
St Peter flag
Thursday, 13th May 2021
Ascension Day
St Peter flag
Friday, 14th May 2021
St Mathias
St Peter flag
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I feel very privileged to work here. I take so much pride in working for a beautiful place like the Abbey, it’s unique.
