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
Thursday, 19th March 2026
St Joseph
St Peter flag
Wednesday, 25th March 2026
The Annunciation of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary
St Peter flag
Sunday, 29th March 2026
Palm Sunday
St Peter flag
Monday, 30th March 2026
Holy Monday
No Flag
Tuesday, 31st March 2026
Holy Tuesday
No Flag
April
Wednesday, 1st April 2026
Holy Wednesday
No Flag
Thursday, 2nd April 2026
Maundy Thursday
No Flag
Friday, 3rd April 2026
Good Friday
No Flag
Saturday, 4th April 2026
Easter Eve
St Peter flag
Sunday, 5th April 2026
Easter Day
St Peter flag
Monday, 6th April 2026
Easter Monday
St Peter flag
Tuesday, 7th April 2026
Easter Tuesday
St Peter flag
Wednesday, 8th April 2026
Easter Wednesday
St Peter flag
Thursday, 9th April 2026
Easter Thursday
St Peter flag
Friday, 10th April 2026
Easter Friday
St Peter flag
Saturday, 11th April 2026
Easter Saturday
St Peter flag
Thursday, 23rd April 2026
St George, martyr, patron of England, c 303
St George flag
May
Friday, 1st May 2026
St Philip and St James, apostles
St Peter flag
Wednesday, 6th May 2026
Coronation Day, 2023
St Peter flag
Thursday, 14th May 2026
Ascension Day
St Peter flag
Friday, 15th May 2026
St Matthias the Apostle (transferred)
St Peter flag
Monday, 18th May 2026
Letters Patent creating the Order of the Bath, 1725
St Peter flag
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