.svg) | |
| Use | National flag |
|---|---|
| Adopted | 1871 (with aTudor Crown), 1952 (with aSt Edward's Crown) |
| Relinquished | 1958 |
| Design | A BritishBlue Ensign defaced with the colony badge. |
| Designed by | Sir Benjamin Pine |
| Flag of theGovernor of the British Leeward Islands | |
.svg) | |
| Adopted | 1874 (with aTudor Crown), 1952 (with aSt Edward's Crown) |
| Relinquished | 31 December 1959 |
Theflag of theBritish Leeward Islands was the flag of theFederal Colony of theLeeward Islands. It was aBlue Ensign with abadge. The colonies under the Federal Colony had their own badges from 1909. TheGovernor-in-chief of the Leeward Islands used aUnion Flag defaced with the coat of arms. The badge depicted two white ships sailing in opposite directions through thestraits. In the foreground was apineapple, with three smaller ones behind it, as the fruit was an important product of island agriculture. Thecoat of arms of Great Britain appeared above the scene.[1]
The flag was adopted in 1871 whenSir Benjamin Pine was governor; a rumour stated the large pineapple represented him and the smaller ones represented his family (as a form ofcanting). The flag was in use for 85 years until the federation was dissolved following the annexation of most of its islands to the largerWest Indies Federation in 1958. The only change came in 1952 when the QueenElizabeth II requested theTudor Crown in all official British symbols be replaced withSt. Edward's Crown, which she wore at hercoronation.[2]
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