blue ensign

British flag

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Last updated

July 21, 2026

Quick Summary

The blue ensign is a type of nautical flag used in British service. It features a blue field and is flown by various classes of vessels in British government service, excluding the Royal Navy. Under specific conditions, merchant ships commanded by retired Royal Navy officers or officers of the Royal Naval Reserve may also fly the blue ensign. Additionally, many British yacht clubs and individual yachts use this flag. Historically, the Royal Navy used red, white, or blue ensigns to indicate squadron assignments, with the white ensign now reserved for the Royal Navy and the Royal Yacht Squadron.12

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ensign
…are entitled to fly the blue ensign. Certain other vessels, not of the Royal Navy but owned by theBritish government, also use the blue ensign.
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…are entitled to fly the blue ensign. Certain other vessels, not of the Royal Navy but owned by theBritish government, also use the blue ensign.
Read More