News story

UK flags to be flown at half-mast for the funeral of Nelson Mandela

UK marks former South African President’s funeral.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

t is instructed that Union Flags be half-masted from 8am on Sunday, 15th December, until 8pm, the same day, to mark the funeral of the late South African President, Nelson Mandela.

Any other UK national flags flown alongside the Union Flag when it is at half-mast should also be at half-mast. If a flag of a foreign nation is normally flown on the same stand as the Union Flag, it should be removed – unless the South African flag is normally flown. If the South African flag is flown, it should be flown at half-mast.

Local authorities are not bound by this request but may wish to follow it for guidance. Devolved administrations are responsible for issuing instructions for the flying of the Union Flag on buildings in their estate and others as necessary.

Published 13 December 2013