Flag days
The two magnificent west towers above the Great West Door were 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 1042–1066 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 1560. 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, 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
Monday, 5th June 2023
Pentecost
St Peter flag
Sunday, 11th June 2023
Eve of Trinity
St Peter flag
Sunday, 11th June 2023
St Barnabas
St Peter flag
Monday, 12th June 2023
Trinity Sunday
St Peter flag
Saturday, 24th June 2023
The Birth of St John The Baptist
St Peter flag
Wednesday, 28th June 2023
Eve of St Peter
St Peter flag
Thursday, 29th June 2023
St Peter
St Peter flag
July
Monday, 3rd July 2023
St Thomas
St Peter flag
Wednesday, 12th July 2023
St Benedict
St Peter flag
Thursday, 20th July 2023
St Margaret
St Peter flag
Saturday, 22nd July 2023
St Mary Magdalene
St Peter flag
Wednesday, 26th July 2023
St James
St Peter flag
August
Sunday, 6th August 2023
The Transfiguration of Our Lord
St Peter flag
Tuesday, 15th August 2023
Eve of The Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary
St Peter flag
Wednesday, 16th August 2023
The Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary
St Peter flag
Thursday, 24th August 2023
St Bartholomew
St Peter flag
September
Friday, 8th September 2023
Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary
St Peter flag
Thursday, 14th September 2023
Holy Cross Day
St Peter flag
Tuesday, 19th September 2023
Battle of Britain Sunday
RAF Ensign
Thursday, 21st September 2023
St Matthew
St Peter flag
Thursday, 28th September 2023
Eve of St Michael and All Angels
St Peter flag
Friday, 29th September 2023
St Michael and All Angels
St Peter flag
