Blue Ensign Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
The Blue Ensign is a flag used by certain organisations or territories associated with the United Kingdom. It is used either plain, or defaced with a badge or other emblem.
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2 Defaced blue ensign
2.1 Flags of UK Overseas Territories using the Blue Ensign
3 External links2.2 National flags based on the Blue Ensign |
Plain blue ensign
The plain blue ensign is permitted to be flown, instead of the Red Ensign, by two categories of civilian vessel:
- British merchant vessels whose officers and crew include a certain number of retired Royal Navy personnel, or Royal Navy reservists. The number and rank of such crew members required has varied over the years, as have the additional conditions required, since the system was first introduced in 1864. Permission to fly the blue ensign was suspended during both World War I and World War II.
- Vessels belonging to members of certain long-established British Yacht Clubs, all but one of which have "Royal" in their titles.
Defaced blue ensign
Defaced with a badge or emblem, the blue ensign forms the flag of:- United Kingdom Government Departments or Public Bodies
- Most UK Overseas Territories except Bermuda (which uses the Red Ensign) and Gibraltar
- Some members of the Commonwealth, which were in the past British colonies or possessions. All are Commonwealth realms except Fiji, which became a republic in 1987.
This is an Article on Blue Ensign. Page Contains Information, Facts Details or Explanation Guide About Blue Ensign Flags of UK Overseas Territories using the Blue Ensign
These include:
National flags based on the Blue Ensign
These include:
* Pale blue fieldExternal links
Blue Ensign page on the "Flags of the World" website