Queen's Personal Canadian Flag
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The Queen's Personal Canadian Flag, sometimes called the Royal Standard of Canada, is the personal standard, that is to say official flag, of Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada. The flag was adopted by the Queen in 1962. Image:Royal Standard of Canada.svg It is used only when the Queen is in Canada or when she is attending an event abroad primarily as the Canadian head of state (for example, the commemorations at Juno Beach on June 6, 2004). The Queen's official representative, the Governor General of Canada, has her own flag.
The flag consists of the Royal Arms of Canada in banner form, defaced with one variant of the Queen's Royal Cypher: a blue disk with the initial "E", crowned, all within a wreath of roses, all gold-coloured.
The first quarter at the top left is made up of three heraldic lions passant gardant (historically referred to as "leopards") on a red backround. This is derived from the Coat of Arms of England. This represents the English aspect of the monarchy and the fact that the English are the largest ethnic group in Canada.
The second quarter at the top right is made up of a red rampant lion within a double border with fleur-de-lis. This is derived from the Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland. This represents the Scottish aspects of the monarchy and that the Scottish are the third largest ethnic group in Canada.
The third quarter shows the Brian Boru harp, featured in the Coat of Arms of Ireland. This represents the Irish aspects of the monarchy and the fact that the Irish are the fourth largest ethnic group in Canada.
The fourth quarter shows three fleurs-de-lis on a blue background. This is derived from the Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of France. This represents the French aspect of the monarchy and the fact that the French are the second largest ethnic group in Canada.
The bottom of the standard contains a spring of three red maple leaves on a white background. This represents the Canadian aspect of the monarchy, as well as the complete population of Canada regardless of ethnicity.
The sovereign's personal Canadian flag will change when a new monarch succeeds the throne since the cypher in the centre will change.