National colours of the United Kingdom facts for kids

The roundel of the Royal Air Force incorporates the British national colours

Red Arrows with red, white and blue smoke

The national colours of the United Kingdom are usually identified as the combination of red, white and blue in that order. These colours are the same as in the flag of the United Kingdom. The colours of the flag are in turn taken from the flags of England (white and red) and of Scotland (blue and white), which have been combined to form the union flag; to this was later added a red saltire for Ireland. The UK's constituent countries are normally identified respectively with white (England), blue (Scotland), red (Wales), green (in respect of Ireland in general), and occasionally black or gold (for the culturally distinctive English county of Cornwall).

At sea

At sea, 'national colours' refer to a distinctive flag used to demonstrate a vessel's country of origin. In 1867, an Order in Council defined that "the Red Ensign and Union Jack with a White Border continuing as at present the national colours for all British Ships". The white bordered Union Jack is commonly known today as the Pilot Jack.

Images for kids

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  The colours on British airways parked at London Heathrow Airport

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  Red, white and blue tube train in London