The National Anthem and Other Flags

The national anthem of the United Kingdom is "God Save the King" (or "God Save the Queen" when the monarch is female). It is sung at state occasions, before sporting events involving the UK national teams, and at official ceremonies abroad. The first verse is the most familiar; later verses are rarely sung in public.

Further reading: an editorial guide on this topic opens in a new window for additional context.

The Union Flag flies on government buildings and is one of the most widely recognised national flags in the world. Each of the four UK nations also has its own flag: the Welsh red dragon on a green-and-white background, the Scottish saltire (white diagonal cross on blue), the cross of St George (red on white) for England and the cross of St Patrick (red diagonal on white) for Northern Ireland.

You may be asked the name of the UK's national anthem, or which animal appears on the Welsh flag (a red dragon).

Test yourself on this topic

These questions from the official-format question bank cover the same material. Tap any question to see the correct answer and a short explanation.

1. The Union Flag consists of three crosses. One is St George's. Who do the other TWO crosses represent?
2. The Union Flag comprises the crosses of
3. On the official flag of the UK, The name of the diagonal white cross on a blue ground is the cross of
4. The Welsh Dragon doesn't appear on the Union Flag because Wales was already united with England in 1606
5. The Welsh Dragon doesn’t appear on the Union Flag because Wales was already united with England in 1606
6. A new version of the official flag of the United Kingdom was created in 1801 it is often called ______

Keep going

• Read the full study notes for Modern Society.
• Try a practice test on this chapter.
• Sit a full 24-question timed mock.
• Browse the complete library of topic explainers.

Related topic explainers