Diplomatic flag

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]

Contemporary usage

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

Flag used by Thai Embassies
Flag used by Thai Consulates and Consulates-general

United Kingdom

Flag used by British Embassies
Flag used by British Consulates and Consulates-general

Historical diplomatic flags

Siam

Flag used by Siamese Embassies 1892–1912
Flag used by Siamese Consulates and Consulates-general 1892–1912
Flag used by Siamese Embassies 1912–1917
Flag used by Siamese Consulates and Consulates-general 1912–1917
Flag used by Siamese Embassies, Consulates and Consulates-general 1917–1927

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. The diplomatic flag had the proportions 4:5 of the union mark as it appeared in Swedish flags, unlike the square shape of the Norwegian version.[3][4]

The union mark with proportions 5:4 used in Swedish flags
The square union mark used in Norwegian flags

Personal diplomatic and consular flags

United Kingdom

Flag used by British consular officials when embarked in small boats (flag displayed at bow)

United States of America

Flag of the Secretary of State
Flag of the Deputy Secretary of State
Flag of United States ambassadors
Flag of a Foreign Service officer
Flag of a Consular officer

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]

Diplomatic and Consular Representatives

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


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