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Queen's Standard for Canada

by Graham Bartram

Queen Elizabeth II's personal standard in Canada

It is a banner of the arms of Canada (I'm sorry but I don't know much of blazon, but I'll try to say it: four quarters in the upper two thirds of the flag. These are: I, England (three leopards or (gold) in a gules (red) field); II, Scotland (a gules (red) lion in or (gold) field with something around it with fleurs-de-lis); III, Ireland (a or (gold) harp in an azure (blue) field); IV, France royal (three fleurs-de-lis or (gold) in an azure (blue) field). On the bottom field of the arms, is Canada ( three maple tree (?) leaves in a argent (silver) field). In the flag, there is a big E in the center. This is the same pattern as in Australia's Queen Elizabeth standard, according to the FOTW page about it. So, it would be interesting if someone sends information about the arms of other countries ruled by Queen Elizabeth II.
João Madureira - 28 April 1998

She has six or possibly seven different personal flags.

There is a special one for each of Australia, Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand and possibly Barbados.

A fairly plain blue flag with a large gold "E" for use in other Commonwealth countries.

A Royal Banner, usually called the Royal Standard, for use in the United Kingdom, Crown Dependencies, Dependent Territories, and in non-Commonwealth countries when appropriate.

There used to be four other country-specific personal banners for Malta, Mauritius, Trinidad and Tobago, and Sierra Leone, but they became obsolete in 1974, 1992, 1976 and 1971 respectively when the countries concerned became republics within the Commonwealth.
David Prothero - 3 May 1998

A small, (and perhaps even pedantic) point of clarification: when in non-Commonwealth countries, the Queen flies the standard of the nation she is representing. While admitting that for most such visits she serves in the capacity of Queen of the United Kingdom, (and therefore flies the Royal Banner of that country), this is not always the case. In 1959, for example, as part of the ceremonial surrounding the opening of the St Lawrence Seaway, she visited the United States in her capacity as the Queen of Canada, (vice the UK). Unfortunately, the Queen's Personal Flag for Canada was not instituted until 1962, so she couldn't fly this banner during that tour, but she DID display the Canadian coat of arms, (vice the British) throughout this tour, (i.e.., on the license plates of cars, on speakers' podiums, etc); and, of course, her personal flag for Canada is basically just these Canadian armorial bearings, displayed as a banner, centrally defaced with a wreathed "E" and crown.

Does anyone know of any other similar example of the Queen displaying her (non-UK) personal flag, in a non-Commonwealth country, (i.e.., signifying she is there representing THAT particular Commonwealth country, and NOT the UK)?

What about Australia? I seem to recall her visiting several south Pacific islands in her capacity as head of state of Australia, vice the UK? Can any one substantiate this?
Glen Hodgins - 4 May 1998