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
December
Friday, 8th December 2023
Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
St Peter flag
Sunday, 24th December 2023
Christmas Eve
St Peter flag
Monday, 25th December 2023
Christmas Day
St Peter flag
Tuesday, 26th December 2023
St Stephen
St Peter flag
Wednesday, 27th December 2023
St John
St Peter flag
Thursday, 28th December 2023
The Holy Innocents
St Peter flag
Sunday, 31st December 2023
Eve of The Naming and Circumcision of Jesus
St Peter flag
January
Monday, 1st January 2024
The Naming and Circumcision of Jesus
St Peter flag
Friday, 5th January 2024
The Death of St Edward the Confessor, Eve of The Epiphany of Our Lord
St Peter flag
Saturday, 6th January 2024
The Epiphany of Our Lord
St Peter flag
Thursday, 25th January 2024
Conversion of St Paul
St Peter flag
February
Thursday, 1st February 2024
Eve of Presentation of Christ in the Temple
St Peter flag
Friday, 2nd February 2024
Presentation of Christ in the Temple
St Peter flag
