Which order should flags be flown?

Question

Before considering the answer to this question, consider etiquette..

Etiquette is a wonderful thing and follows in tradition of many.

Question - the Union Jack, the flag of Scotland, the flag of Wales, the unofficial flag of Ulster - i.e. the Red Hand, supported by the cross of St George, this is where the question gets very difficult.

If these flags were flown side by side, in which order would the flags be placed?

Would they be placed in alphabetical order, or would they be placed by date that said Provinces/Principalities became part of the greater force outside them - i.e. England.?

Re Alex
Ireland have thier own flag (Green Gold and White) and Ulster aka NORTHERN Irleand is a Province of UK therefore the "Red Hand" flag is the unofficial flag of Ulster..

So, what ORDER should all the flags quoted above be flown.. say in SCOTLAND?

Answer 1

The FoTW (Flags of the World) website is a good place to find out about flag protocol and precedence.

However, if this question is posed with reference to the flag grouping being flown within the UK, then the Union Flag takes precedence, in all cases, and the 4 regional flags can be at lower level.

The flag of the UK region in which the group is being flown might take the next preferred position over the three other regional flags, all of which can share the third position of precedence.

Alphabetic order could be applied, but is it Wales or Cymru? Order of entry to the Union would be more appropriate, but Wales (sadly) only rates as a Principality, whereas Scotland, England and Ireland are countries.

Answer 2

I don't have the answer but someone who might, might also need to know where and which country they are being flown in.

Answer 3

for the navy see the blue jackets manual and their signalman manual

Answer 4

Sorry I live in the U.S.A. can't help you.