With Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee around the corner, we can all expect to see a lot more of our nation’s iconic Union Jack. We’ve long been a nation of record-breakingly large street parties and lunches, and can throw a patriotic party to rival the rest of them for the right royal event!
But while you’re making where and how you’ll decorate for your (hopefully) sunny Jubilee dos, how much do you really know about the red, white, and royal blue that embellish your events?
We’ll give you a few fascinating insights into one of the world’s most recognisable flags, and some surprising facts you can pop out for your friends and family. Hopefully, while they help you decorate your lawn or street with Union Jack Bunting for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee!
What you probably knew about the Union Jack...
Great Britain’s stunning Union Jack, also known as the Union Flag, unites three the national crosses of three countries under the one British Sovereign: the blue and white St Andrew’s Cross of Scotland, England’s red and white St George’s Cross, and Ireland’s X-shaped St Patrick Cross or Saltire.
Originally a Royal Flag, the combined three heraldic crosses were designated Great Britain’s official flag in 1801 when they were solely to be flown from the sovereign’s castles, keeps, and crosses.
The reason that the Welsh Flag is not featured on the Union Jack (as you’ve probably noticed) is because Wales was historically a principality under England, which prevented the rather more exciting dragon-emblazoned motif from being included on the Union Flag.
Designed by Scotland’s first King James, on inheriting both England and Scotland in 1606, the first design originally included only the crosses of Scotland and England’s patron saints, before Ireland’s diagonal red and white was added to finalise the Union Jack as we know it today.
It now flutters from all the royal castles whether Her Majesty is in or out, meaning it can be seen above Windsor castle, Buckingham palace, as well as being a festive flag for Government buildings on Royal birthdays and national occasions.
But what didn’t you know about the red, white, and blue Union Jack table flag that makes your dinner table a celebration meal, or the giant United Kingdom flag you footy fans unfurl at stadiums?
6 Union Jack facts you may not have known...
Here are some fun Union Jack facts that may surprise you.
1. Returning to 1606 (April 12, to be specific) Scotland and England’s national flags were originally combined for maritime use, while landlubbers may still have flown the English and Scottish flags separately. Because “Jack” is or was the term for a small flag flown at sea at the bowsprit, this is one possible reason the Union Flag is called the Union Jack.
2. For those looking to spark a lively luncheon debate, an alternative suggestion is that “Jack” may come from English or Scottish soldiers’ 'jack-ets', or it may even have been a nickname for King James I behind the original design.
3. The Union Jack has been a feature of many Commonwealth flags over the years, and still now is part of the New Zealand, Australian, Canadian, and...Hawaiian flags, to name a few.
4. It has also been featured on Hong Kong’s national flag until the Dependent Territory was handed back to the People’s Republic of China in 1997 and replaced with a red and white bauhinia flag to represent the country’s national flower.
5. Interestingly, Alabama’s coat of arms also features the Union Jack at the centre of its crest. This denotes the United Kingdom as one of five nations that have held sovereignty at certain periods over some or all of Alabama.
6. Perhaps most surprising to those outside Britain, the Union Jack is not governed by any real code of conduct. Because it can legally be reproduced on postcards, umbrellas, fudge boxes, T-shirts, and the ubiquitous “...and all they got me was this hat” keepsakes, this makes it distinct from many other national flags, such as that of the United States.
As you’re busy decorating for Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, you’ll now be able to dazzle your friends and family with a few little-known facts about our nation’s flag. Hopefully, they’ll be as blown away by your knowledge as they are by your Giant Union Jack bunting!