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
Wednesday, 5th March 2025
Ash Wednesday
St Peter flag
Monday, 10th March 2025
Commonwealth Day
Abbey flag and Royal Standard
Monday, 17th March 2025
St Patrick, Patron of Ireland, bishop, missionary, c 5th century
St Patrick flag
Wednesday, 19th March 2025
St Joseph
St Peter flag
Tuesday, 25th March 2025
The Annunciation of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary
St Peter flag
April
Sunday, 13th April 2025
Palm Sunday
St Peter flag
Monday, 14th April 2025
Holy Monday
No Flag
Tuesday, 15th April 2025
Holy Tuesday
No Flag
Wednesday, 16th April 2025
Holy Wednesday
No Flag
Thursday, 17th April 2025
Maundy Thursday
No Flag
Friday, 18th April 2025
Good Friday
No Flag
Saturday, 19th April 2025
Easter Eve
St Peter flag
Sunday, 20th April 2025
Easter Day
St Peter flag
Monday, 21st April 2025
Easter Monday
St Peter flag
Tuesday, 22nd April 2025
Easter Tuesday
St Peter flag
Wednesday, 23rd April 2025
Easter Wednesday
St Peter flag
Thursday, 24th April 2025
Easter Thursday
St Peter flag
Friday, 25th April 2025
Easter Friday
St Peter flag
Saturday, 26th April 2025
Easter Saturday
St Peter flag
Monday, 28th April 2025
St George, martyr, patron of England, c 303 (transferred)
St George flag
May
Thursday, 1st May 2025
St Philip and St James, apostles
St Peter flag
