Because the Royal Standard represents not only the Sovereign but also the United Kingdom, it was felt that The Queen should have her own flag, personal to her alone, which can be flown by no one other than The Queen, especially in non-monarchical Commonwealth countries and in realms that have not adopted a personal flag specifically for The Queen. It was first used in 1961 for the Queen's visit to India.
The Queen's personal flag consists of the initial 'E' ensigned with the Royal Crown and surrounded by a chaplet of Roses. The design is in gold (or yellow) on a blue field and the flag is fringed with gold (or yellow).
Since its introduction, the flag's use has been altered. Although it is not a 'Head of Commonwealth' flag, it has in effect become The Queen's personal Commonwealth flag and is flown to mark her presence. The original website for the British Royal Family, Royal Insight, confirmed the use on a Question and Answer page back in September 2006:
It is also used on certain Commonwealth occasions in the United Kingdom, such as The Queen's visits to Marlborough House where the Commonwealth Secretariat is based.
- Canada (1962–)
- Australia (1962–)
- New Zealand (1962–)
- Jamaica (1962–)
- Barbados (1966–)
- Sierra Leone (1961–1971)
- Trinidad and Tobago (1966–1976)
- Malta (1967–1974)
- Mauritius (1968–1992)
The last four each relinquished their versions of the Sovereign's Banner when they became republics.