A diplomatic flag is a flag used by a sovereign state engaging in diplomacy which is different from the nation's normal national flag. Some nations also have personal flags that are used by their diplomatic representatives, such as the U.S. Foreign Service flags.[1]

National diplomatic flags

Currently, only two nations use diplomatic flags: Thailand (formerly Siam) and the United Kingdom. Different flags are used based upon the diplomatic rank of the mission. British High Commissions do not use diplomatic flags but rather the normal flag of the United Kingdom, since members of the Commonwealth are not considered 'foreign' by the government of the United Kingdom.[2]

Thailand

United Kingdom

Historical national diplomatic flags

Siam

  • Flag used by Siamese Embassies 1892–1912
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag used by Siamese Embassies 1892–1912
  • Flag used by Siamese Consulates and Consulates-general 1892–1912
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag used by Siamese Consulates and Consulates-general 1892–1912
  • Flag used by Siamese Embassies 1912–1917
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag used by Siamese Embassies 1912–1917
  • Flag used by Siamese Consulates and Consulates-general 1912–1917
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag used by Siamese Consulates and Consulates-general 1912–1917
  • Flag used by Siamese Embassies, Consulates and Consulates-general 1917–1927
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag used by Siamese Embassies, Consulates and Consulates-general 1917–1927

Sweden and Norway

The members of the union between Sweden and Norway each had their own separate national flags, however they also had a flag named the Union mark, which was used as the flag of the common diplomatic representations of both countries abroad.[3][4]

  • The Union mark
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag The Union mark

Personal diplomatic and consular flags

United Kingdom

  • Flag used by British consular officials when embarked in small boats (flag displayed at bow)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag used by British consular officials when embarked in small boats (flag displayed at bow)
  • Standard of the governor of Anguilla
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Standard of the governor of Anguilla
  • Standard of the governor of Bermuda
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Standard of the governor of Bermuda
  • Standard of the commissioner for the British Antarctic Territory
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Standard of the commissioner for the British Antarctic Territory
  • Standard of the governor of the British Virgin Islands
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Standard of the governor of the British Virgin Islands
  • Standard of the governor of the Cayman Islands
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Standard of the governor of the Cayman Islands
  • Standard of the governor of the Falkland Islands
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Standard of the governor of the Falkland Islands
  • Standard of the governor of Gibraltar
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Standard of the governor of Gibraltar
  • Standard of the governor of Montserrat
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Standard of the governor of Montserrat
  • Standard of the governor of the Pitcairn Islands
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Standard of the governor of the Pitcairn Islands
  • Standard of the governor of Saint Helena
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Standard of the governor of Saint Helena
  • Standard of the commissioner for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Standard of the commissioner for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
  • Standard of the governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Standard of the governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands

United States

Historical personal diplomatic flags

United Kingdom

  • Standard of the governor of Gibraltar (1939–1982)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Standard of the governor of Gibraltar (1939–1982)

Yugoslavia

The flag for the accredited representatives of the state (diplomats and heads of consular missions) of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was similar to the civil ensign, that is the national flag in 2:3 ratio.[5]

  • Diplomatic and consular representatives
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Diplomatic and consular representatives

References

  1. ^ Flags of the World: Diplomatic and Consular Flags (U.S.)
  2. ^ Berridge, G R; Lloyd, Lorna (2012), The Palgrave Macmillan Dictionary of Diplomacy (3rd ed.), Palgrave Macmillan, p. 104
  3. ^ Anker, C.J. (1888). "Tegninger af Norges flag i dets forskjellige skikkelser gjennem tiden". Kristiania: P.T. Mallings boghandels forlag, pp. 11–12.
  4. ^ Colour plate attached to "Cirkulär 18. Oktober 1899" from Kongl. Utrikes Departementet, Stockholm, to the consuls of the United Kingdoms
  5. ^ Flags of the World: Socialist Yugoslavia: Naval rank flags (1956–1991) Part 3 – Non-naval dignitary ranks
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