Senedd Flag Protocol

The objectives of this protocol are to:

• outline the usual arrangements for the displaying of flags;
• clarify the appropriate procedure should a request for the flying of a specific guest flag or flags be received;
• clarify the procedure for flying the flags at half-mast.

The Senedd has:

• four main flagpoles between the Senedd building and the Pierhead in Cardiff Bay;
• four flagpoles outside Tŷ Hywel in Cardiff Bay.

The following flags are flown every day, unless other arrangements have been agreed in accordance with this protocol:

• Y Ddraig Goch x 2;
• Union Flag;
• Senedd Cymru-Welsh Parliament or Guest Flag

There are some established arrangements for variance in the flags displayed at the Senedd. These are outlined below:

Annual days

A precedent for flying specific flags on identified days annually has been established by the Senedd. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, these dates will continue to be recognised via the flag protocol. Annex A identifies these dates.

Official Visits

Precedent has also been established for the flying of specific flags when the Senedd is welcoming particular visitors, including:

• the British Royal family;
• Parliamentary Delegations led by that Parliament’s Speaker/Presiding Officer;
• Heads of state and government.  

The flags to be displayed during official visits are identified in Annex B.

The Private Office has the Llywydd’s approval to authorise the flying of flags for annual days and official visits.

Other circumstances

At the Llywydd’s discretion, flags other than those identified in Annex A, may be displayed.  

In circumstances of national significance or death, at the Llywydd’s discretion, flags may be flown at half-mast on the day that the death is announced, and/or on the day that the period of silence or condolences are expressed in Plenary and/or on the day of the funeral. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to:

• the death of a serving or retired Member of the Senedd,
• the death of a distinguished serving or retired senior politician; or
• exceptional circumstances particular to Wales.

Flying flags at half-mast on a number of consecutive days may be permissible at the Llywydd’s discretion. 

In circumstances of national mourning, flags will usually be flown at half-mast from the day of death until sunset on the day of the funeral. Consideration should be given to applying consistency with UK Civil Service Departments and devolved Parliaments to mitigate reputational risks.

In circumstances of national significance or death, the Llywydd may call for a period of silence in the first Plenary following the event, and may invite tributes and condolences from relevant parties as appropriate. In such circumstances all flags displayed at the Senedd may be flown at half-mast as outlined above.

Consideration will be made in terms of International events at the discretion of the Llywydd. This could involve the death of a foreign head of state.

Flags at half-mast should be flown two-thirds of the way up the flagpole, with at least the height of the flag between the top of the flag and the top of the flagpole.

On occasions of celebration of notable Welsh success and/or where the Senedd is used as the focal  point of an event of national significance, the Llywydd may request a departure from the usual configuration of flags. 

Enquiries about flags displayed at the Senedd should be directed to contact@senedd.wales/cysylltu@senedd.cymru. All enquiries and requests will be dealt with in accordance with this protocol. All decisions on the flying of flags, unless otherwise stated in this protocol, will be taken by the Llywydd.  

Guest flags will replace the Senedd’s own flag on the main flagpoles, although the final decision on this rests with the Llywydd.

Any flags which are not in Senedd stock must be provided by the organisation or individual who has made the request. The provider of the flag is responsible for ensuring that the flag is handed to the Senedd in advance and collected in a timely fashion. They must also ensure that the flag provided is of a similar standard, quality and size as those usually displayed. All flags displayed by the Senedd must be clean, in good repair and of consistent quality across the estate. If the flags provided do not meet these requirements, a decision not to fly them may be taken.

Depending on the significance of an issue, a national or international incident or disaster (beyond National or International mourning) may warrant additional marks of respect by the Senedd.

Annex A - Annual Days

Annex B - Official visits