Flag | Date | Use | Description |
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 | 1878–1990 | The Union Flag, also commonly known as theUnion Jack. Used as theflag of the United Kingdom | A superimposition of the flags ofEngland andScotland with theSaint Patrick's Saltire (representingIreland) |
 | 1878–1910 | Cape Colony | Ablue ensign defaced with theshield-of-arms of Cape Colony |
 | 1910–1912 | Merchant flag of theUnion of South Africa | A BritishRed Ensign with the shield of the coat of arms of theUnion of South Africa |
 | 1910–1928 | State ensign of the Union of South Africa | A BritishBlue Ensign with the shield of the coat of arms of theUnion of South Africa |
 | 1912–1951 | Merchant flag of the Union of South Africa | A BritishRed Ensign with the shield of the coat of arms of theUnion of South Africa on a white roundel |
 | 1928–1982 | Flag of South Africa | Orange, white, and blue horizontal stripes, on the white stripe, a backwardsUnion Flag towards the hoist, theOrange Free State flag hanging vertically and theflag of Transvaal, towards the fly. Used for both theUnion and laterRepublic of South Africa |
 | 1982–1990 | Flag of South Africa | The flag using a lighter shade of "Solway" blue as specified by the South African government in 1982 |
 | 1878–1910 | Flag of thegovernor of the Cape Colony | |
 | 1910–1931 | Flag of thegovernor-general of South Africa | |
 | 1931–1952 | Flag of the governor-general of South Africa | |
 | 1952–1961 | Flag of the governor-general of South Africa | |
 | 1961–1984 | Flag of thestate president of South Africa | |
 | 1984–1990 | Flag of the state president of South Africa | |
 | 1878–1961 | Theroyal standard of theUnited Kingdom (except Scotland) | A banner of the sovereign's arms, theroyal coat of arms of the United Kingdom |
 | 1901–1928 | Standard ofQueen Alexandra, consort ofEdward VII | The royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom impaled with the arms of the king of Denmark |
 | 1910–1953 | Standard ofQueen Mary, consort ofGeorge V | The royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom impaled with the arms ofPrince Francis, Duke of Teck (the Queen's father), andPrince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge (the Queen's maternal grandfather) |
 | 1936–1961 | Standard ofQueen Elizabeth, consort ofGeorge VI | The royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom impaled with the arms of theEarl of Strathmore: "bows" and "lions" |
 | 1952–1961 | Standard ofPrince Philip, consort ofElizabeth II | A banner of the coat of arms of the Duke of Edinburgh, 1st quarter representing Denmark, 2nd quarter Greece, 3rd quarter the Mountbatten family, 4th quarter Edinburgh |
 | 1952–1961 | Personal flag ofElizabeth II, used by the Queen in her capacity asHead of the Commonwealth | A crowned letter 'E' in gold, surrounded by a garland of gold roses on a blue background |