Wales Union Jack
In november 2007 a welsh mp ian lucas asked parliament why wales is not represented in the union jack.
Wales union jack. The flag consists of three heraldic crosses. The war flag variant used by the british army modifies the proportions to 3 5 and crops two of the red diagonals. Wales is not represented on the union jack because at the time the flag was adopted in the late 17th century wales was officially classed as a part of england. But wales is not represented on the flag also known as the union flag because of decisions made hundreds of years ago.
The union flag or union jack is the national flag of the united kingdom. The flag s standard height to length proportions are 1 2. By 1674 this nickname had morphed into his majesty s jack or union jack. In 1536 under henry viii the act of union joined england and wales officially.
The united kingdom is famous for both its country of countries status and its iconic flag. Additionally it is used as an official flag in some of the smaller british overseas territories the union flag also appears in the canton upper flagstaff side quarter of the flags of several nations and. Please note all my articles are best read on desktops and laptops. The original union flag was a joining of the flags of st.
Since before 1600 jack has been used to describe a small flag flown from the mast of a ship so when a small version of the union jack started to be flown around 1627 it was often referred to as the jack jack flag or king s jack. George of england and st. Wales is not represented in the union flag by wales s patron saint saint david as at the time the flag was designed wales was part of the kingdom of england. But why is one of the countries wales neglected in its represent.
Throughout most of the past thousand years the four countries of england wales scotland and ireland have been at the centre. It is so called because it combines the crosses of the three countries united under one sovereign the kingdoms of england and wales of scotland and of ireland although since 1921 only northern ireland has been part of the united kingdom. The union jack or union flag is the national flag of the united kingdom the flag also has official status in canada by parliamentary resolution where it is known as the royal union flag. What would the union flag look like if wales was represented.
The name union jack implies the flagpole on the stern of a boat on which the union flag is flown.