What flag is on the Queen’s coffin? What is royal standard flag on Queen Elizabeth II casket in Westminster

The Queen’s state funeral will be held todaty at Westminster Abbey, with the late monarch being led to rest in King George VI Chapel at Windsor Castle.

The Queen’s coffin had lay in state for four days at Westminster Hall, with hundreds of thousands of people queuing in single digit figures to pay their respects.

Those watching coverage of the event have noticed that the Queen’s coffin is draped in a flag, but it isn’t a Union Flag.

So what is it? Here’s everything you need to know about what flag is on the Queen’s coffin.

What flag is on the Queen’s coffin?

The flag that is draped over the Queen’s coffin is the Royal Standard, which represents the Sovereign and the United Kingdom.

The flag was established after the Union of Crowns in 1603.

There have been a few versions over the last four centuries, with the current one being split into four sections and using the colours red, yellow and blue.

What is the Royal Standard flag?

The Royal Standard flag represents the British monarch and the UK.

It is flown whenever a monarch is at home in one of their residences and is also flown on royal cars, aircrafts and even on the royal yacht.

The flag is split into four designs that represent three regions of the UK and Ireland.

England is represented in the first and fourth sections, depicted with the three yellow lions passant set against a red background.

Scotland is represented in the second section, with a yellow lion rampant, set against a red background.

Ireland is represented in the third section, with a yellow harp set against a blue background.

Wales is the only region not represented in the Royal Standard.

This is because the country was recognised as a Principality before Scotland and Ireland became incorporated into the Royal Arms.

In Scotland, they use a different version of the Royal Standard which features two yellow quarters with the red lion rampant, which is called the Royal Banner of Scotland.

Unlike the Union Flag, the Royal Standard is never flown at half-mast, as even if a monarch dies, there will always be a King or Queen on the throne.

How long did the Queen lie in state?

The Queen lay in state at Westminster Hall from Wednesday 14 September until 6.30am this morning.

Hundreds of thousands of mourners queued to pay their respects, with the Hall open 24 hours a day.

The government told people to expect to stand “for many hours, possibly overnight, with very little opportunity to sit down.”

On Friday 16 September, the queue had to be paused, after reaching full capacity.

When is the Queen’s funeral?

The Queen’s funeral is taking place today on Monday 19 September.

Her lying in state ended at 6.30am and the coffin was taken by Royal procession from Westminister Hall to Westminster Abbey.

The Queen’s state funeral will be held at 11am, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

At midday there will be a two-minutes silence held across the UK.

After the service, the coffin will travel in a procession led by King Charles to Wellington Arch.

It will then be transferred to the state hearse and travel to Windsor for the committal service.

A private service for members of the royal family will be held at 7.30pm and the Queen will be laid to rest alongside her husband, Prince Phillip in the King George VI Chapel.