Flag of the governor-general of Australia

Governor-General’s Flag

Use	Other
Proportion	1:2
Adopted	1 July 2024;8 months ago (2024-07-01)
Design	The Royal Crest, comprising a Tudor Crown surmounted by a crowned lion, above a golden scroll inscribed with “The Commonwealth of Australia”
The governor-general’s flag during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, featuring St Edward’s Crown
Use	Other
Proportion	1:2
Adopted	1953
Relinquished	2024

The flag of the governor-general of Australia is an official flag of Australia and is flown continuously on buildings and other locations when the governor-general of Australia is present. ^[1]

History

The flag of the governor-general affixed to a car

The flag has existed as three versions, the original flag used between 1902 and 1909 being a Union Flag defaced with a six pointed star, crowned, surrounded by ears of corn and a gold circlet. In 1909, following the addition of a seventh point to the Commonwealth Star on the Australian Blue and Red Ensigns, the star was changed to a seven-pointed star. ^[2]

On 16 July 1936, the governor-general adopted a new flag for official use in Australia. The flag had a 1:2 ratio, it had a royal blue background and in the centre of the flag there is a Royal Crest (a crowned lion standing on a Tudor Crown) and the words "COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA" in dark blue letters on a gold scroll below the Crest. A similar design is used in most other Commonwealth realms. ^[3]

In 1953 the flag was modified again, replacing the Tudor Crown with St Edward's Crown.^{[ citation needed ]} The flag was otherwise identical to that introduced in 1936. The 1936 version of the flag was again adopted on 1 July 2024 after the installation of Governor-General Samantha Mostyn. ^[4]

Usage

The flag is flown continuously wherever the governor-general is in residence and is also used as a car flag.

Historical versions

Flag	Date	Description
	1902–1909	A Union Flag defaced with a six pointed star, crowned, surrounded by ears of corn and a gold circlet. The crown used is the Tudor Crown.
	1909–1936	A Union Flag defaced with a seven pointed star, crowned, surrounded by ears of corn and a gold circlet. The crown used is the Tudor Crown.
	1936–1953	A lion statant guardant surmounted on the Tudor Crown on a blue field.
	1953–2024	A lion statant guardant surmounted upon St Edward's Crown on a blue field.
	2024–present	Reverted back to a lion statant guardant surmounted on the Tudor Crown on a blue field.

See also

• Australia portal
• Heraldry portal

• List of Australian flags
• Flags of the governors of the Australian states
• King's Flag for Australia

References

1. "Governor-General's flag". Australian Flag Society . 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
2. "Flag for the Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia car flagpole and car badge, 1931". National Library of Australia . Retrieved 10 April 2017.
3. "Commonwealth of Australia Gazette" (PDF). No. 56. 16 July 1936. p. 1297.
4. "Australian Flags". Australian Government: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2024. See section "Royal and Vice-Regal flags": updated in 2024, although (as of 30 October 2024) not the booklet itself.

Bibliography

• Kwan, Elizabeth (1 May 2006). Flag and Nation: Australians and their National Flag Since 1901. Sydney: University of New South Wales Press. p. 86. ISBN   978-1-7422-4687-1.

External links

• Governor-General - Australia at Flags of the World