Flags at the Royal Palace

Three different flags are flown over the Palace:

• The Royal Standard
• The Standard of the Crown Prince
• The State Flag

Both the Royal Standard and the Standard of the Crown Prince depict the Norwegian lion in gold bearing a silver axe on a red background. The flags are the same size but the flag of the Crown Prince is swallow-tailed.

The National Flag is the Norwegian flag, but is not used on government buildings. The State Flag resembles the National Flag but is swallow-tailed and has a third tail (the “tongue”) between the two other tails.

The Royal Standard of Norway

The Royal Standard is flown whenever the King is in Norway or Norwegian territories.

There are, however, two exceptions to this: If the King is in residence at Stiftsgården in Trondheim or is on board the Royal Yacht Norge (and in Norwegian waters) neither the Royal Standard nor any other flag is flown over the Royal Palace. The flag pole at the Palace remains bare. The reason for this is that on these occasions the Royal Standard is hoisted either at Stiftsgården or on the Royal Yacht and as a main rule the Royal Standard is not flown in two places at once.

The Standard of the Crown Prince

When the King travels abroad, His Royal Highness The Crown Prince is Regent. On such occasions the Standard of the Crown Prince is flown over the Palace. The changing of the flags takes place as the King leaves the country. The Crown Prince's standard is swallow-tailed. Photo: Jan Haug, The Royal Court

The State Flag

If both the King and the Crown Prince are out of the country, the State Flag is flown above the Palace. The flag is changed as the Prince Regent leaves the country.

Flag raising and lowering

Normal rules for flags do not apply to the Royal Standard and the Standard of the Crown Prince. These two flags may be flown all day long and are hoisted and lowered according to the rules outlined above. The State Flag, however, is flown according to normal rules for flag raising and lowering.

Size of flags

Both the Royal Standard of Norway and the Standard of the Crown Prince are found in three different sizes:

• A medium-sized flag, which is the one normally used.
• An extra large flag used on official flag days and on special occasions such as state visits.
• A small storm flag that is used when the winds are strong.

Flying flags from the Palace balcony

Sometimes flags are flown from the balcony of the Royal Palace as well as – or instead of – from the roof. This is the case, for example, if it is an official flag day and the King is at Stiftsgården or on the Royal Yacht (in Norwegian waters). On such occasions the flag pole on the roof remains empty and the State Flag is flown from the Palace balcony.

Flags are flown from the balcony according to instructions issued by His Majesty The King.