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
March
Monday, 2nd March 2026
St David, patron of Wales, Bishop of Menevia, c 589
Red Dragon flag
Monday, 9th March 2026
Commonwealth Day
Abbey flag and Royal Standard
Tuesday, 17th March 2026
St Patrick, Patron of Ireland, bishop, missionary, c 5th century
St Patrick flag
Thursday, 19th March 2026
St Joseph
St Peter flag
Wednesday, 25th March 2026
The Annunciation of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary
St Peter flag
Sunday, 29th March 2026
Palm Sunday
St Peter flag
Monday, 30th March 2026
Holy Monday
No Flag
Tuesday, 31st March 2026
Holy Tuesday
No Flag
April
Wednesday, 1st April 2026
Holy Wednesday
No Flag
Friday, 17th April 2026
Maundy Thursday
No Flag
Saturday, 18th April 2026
Good Friday
No Flag
Sunday, 19th April 2026
Easter Eve
St Peter flag
Monday, 20th April 2026
Easter Day
St Peter flag
Tuesday, 21st April 2026
Easter Monday
St Peter flag
Wednesday, 22nd April 2026
Easter Tuesday
St Peter flag
Thursday, 23rd April 2026
Easter Wednesday
St Peter flag
Friday, 24th April 2026
Easter Thursday
St Peter flag
Saturday, 25th April 2026
Easter Friday
St Peter flag
Sunday, 26th April 2026
Easter Saturday
St Peter flag
Tuesday, 28th April 2026
St George, martyr, patron of England, c 303 (transferred)
St George flag
