The flag of the UK is officially called the Union Flag or the Union Jack. It became the official flag of the UK in 1801 when King George III made a royal proclamation. It symbolises the administrative union of the countries of the United Kingdom .

The flag is made up of three crosses. The upright red is the cross of St. George, the patron saint of England. The white diagonal cross is the cross of St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland. The red diagonal cross is the cross of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. St. David is the patron saint of Wales. The colours on the flag represent: white: peace and honesty; red: hardiness, bravery, strength, and valour; blue: vigilance, truth, and loyalty; perseverance and justice.

The identity of the song’s author remains unknown, although earlier composers including John Bull, Thomas Ravenscroft, Henry Purcell, and Henry Carey have all been nominated as possible candidates.

Since 1837, the Royal Coat-of-Arms has depicted a shield with the three English lions, the Scottish lions, and the Irish harp, surrounded by the Ribbon of the Order of Garter, the highest award of the UK, with its motto: Shame on him who thinks evil of it. The shield is supported by an English lion and the Scottish unicorn, standing on a field with the emblems of England (the rose), Scotland(the thistle), and Ireland (the shamrock). Below this is the royal motto: God and My Right. The Royal Coat-of-Arms is used by the Queen or King in their official capacity as monarchs, and is officially known as the Arms of Dominion.

“God Save the Queen” (alternatively „God Save the King”, depending on the gender of the reigning monarch) is the national or royal anthem in a number of Commonwealth areas. The song was adopted as the UK and Commonwealth’s national anthem in September 1745, during the reign of George III, a year after its lyrics appeared in print for the first time in Gentleman’s Magazine and its music was set down in ink in the pages of the Thesaurus Musicus anthology.