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In 1960, the Queen adopted a personal flag to be flown on any building, ship, car or
aircraft in which she was staying or travelling. The Royal Standard
represents not only the Sovereign but also the United Kingdom, whereas The
Queen's own flag is personal to her alone and can be flown by no one other
than The Queen. The flag consists of the initial 'E' ensigned with the royal
crown, surrounded by a chaplet of roses. The design is in gold (or yellow) on
a blue field and the flag is fringed with gold (or yellow).
Since its introduction, the flag's use has been altered. Although it is not
a 'Head of Commonwealth' flag, it has in effect become The Queen's personal
Commonwealth flag, being flown to mark her presence in non-monarchical
Commonwealth countries and in realms that have not adopted a personal flag
specifically for The Queen. Some realms have adopted their own versions of
the flag to be flown as a personal flag when The Queen is in their country,
each one incorporating the country's arms with The Queen's personal design.
The Queen's personal flag is also flown on a number of Commonwealth occasions
in the United Kingdom.
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