Diplomatic flag

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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]

Contents

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

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]

Personal diplomatic and consular flags

The Gambia

Sierra Leone

United Kingdom

United States

Historical personal diplomatic flags

British Empire

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]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Consulate</span> Official office of one country in another country

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Consular missions in Hong Kong</span> List of diplomatic missions in Hong Kong

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">High commissioner (Commonwealth)</span> Senior diplomatic position

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The British Overseas Territories maintain their own entry requirements different from the visa policy of the United Kingdom. As a general rule, British citizens do not have automatic right of abode in these territories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High Commission of the United Kingdom, Canberra</span> Diplomatic mission

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The Embassy of Switzerland in New Zealand is the official representation of Switzerland in New Zealand and in a number of Pacific island countries.

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