British Flag

The national flag of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland is known as the Union Flag or the Union Jack. The flag of Great Britain combines the flag of England, which is a simple red cross on a white background with the flag of Scotland, which is a diagonal white cross on a blue background and the original flag of Ireland (Fitzgerald) which is a diagonal red cross on a white background. Together these combine to form the flag of the United Kingdom or flag of Great Britain. The Union flag is “owned” by England as the initiating power whose red cross on the white background is at the center of the British flag.

The British flag has been used throughout the British Empire. The current design of the British flag has been in use since 1801. While the Union flag is flown as the national flag in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, it is also holds official or semi-official status in several Commonwealth Realms including Canada, where it is referred to as the Royal Union Flag.