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.
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.
Thailand
United Kingdom
Historical national diplomatic flags
Siam
Sweden and Norway The members of the union between Sweden and Norway each had its own national flag, but the Union mark was used as the flag of their common diplomatic representations abroad.Anker, C.J. (1888). "Tegninger af Norges flag i dets forskjellige skikkelser gjennem tiden". Kristiania: P.T. Mallings boghandels forlag, pp. 11–12.Colour plate attached to "Cirkulär 18. Oktober 1899" from Kongl. Utrikes Departementet, Stockholm, to the consuls of the United Kingdoms
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.
See also List of flags of the United States#Department of State
Notes
References
External links