It is with great regret that we note the announcement today,
Friday 9 April 2021 from Buckingham Palace of the death of His
Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.
All official flags, including the Union Flag, are to be
half-masted on all UK government buildings as soon as possible
today until 0800 on the day following the Funeral. Flags may be
flown overnight during this period but should remain at
half-mast.
Any non-official flags currently flying or due to be flown should
be taken down and replaced with a Union Flag at half-mast. Other
official flags scheduled to be flown should be flown as normal,
but at half-mast (see official flags criteria below).
Half-mast means the flag is flown a third of the way down the
flagpole from the top, with at least the height of the flag
between the top of the flag and the top of the flagpole. On poles
that are more than 45° from the vertical, flags cannot be flown
at half-mast and should not be flown at all.
Devolved administrations will issue instructions for the flying
of the Union Flag and other official flags on buildings in their
estate and others as necessary.
Local authorities and other bodies may choose whether to follow
this guidance.
Official flags criteria
Official Flags in this instance are defined as ships’ colours,
Union Flags, Ensigns and any National Flag.
‘Non-official’ flags such as the Rainbow Flag or Armed Forces
Flag should be removed.
