Friday, December 19, 2014

Union Flag of Great Britain

Union Flag
Originated in 1606 (Union of England / Scotland)
Re-designed in 1801 (Union of Great Britain / Ireland)

This postcard is postmarked in 2014 with a Great Britain queen stamp.

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On 12 April 1606, a new flag to represent the union between England and Scotland was specified in a royal decree, according to which the flag of England (a red cross on a white background, known as St George's Cross), and the flag of Scotland (a white saltire on a blue background, known as the Saltire or St Andrew's Cross), would be joined together, forming the flag of England and Scotland for maritime purposes. 

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The design of the current Union Flag dates from a Royal Proclamation following the union of Great Britain and Ireland in 1801. It combines aspects of the flag mentioned above with the red saltire of St Patrick to represent Ireland. 

Wales, despite also being part of the Union, has never been represented on the flag.
Great Britain stamp 2014
Queen Elizabeth II
Purple 97 p

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