FCO flies flags of all UK territories in London

(CNS): The Cayman Islands flag is currently flying in Parliament Square, alongside the UK’s other fifteen territories and its crown dependencies, for the first time. According to the Foreign Office, the flags of the remnants of Britain’s empire, which were hoisted yesterday, will be flown in the famous London square throughout the visit of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is in London until Friday 2 November. While the flags of the UK’s Commonwealth countries are always flown on state occasions, this is the debut appearance for those of the territories and dependencies.

The new minister with responsibility for the overseas territories, Mark Simmonds MP, said it was a sign of the UK government’s commitment to the OTs.

"I am really pleased to see the flags of the Overseas Territories being flown on a state occasion London. This brings representation of the Overseas Territories in line with the Commonwealth nations, which have long had their flags flown on such occasions,” he said. “Flying these flags is a sign to the people in the Territories, and those in the UK, of our renewed commitment to the Territories, which was outlined in our recent White Paper. I hope that this will help raise the profile of the Overseas Territories in the UK and around the world."

The flags of the Overseas Territories will from now on be flown on state occasions in London, including Trooping the Colour and other ceremonial occasions.