The present monarch is Elizabeth II, styled Queen of Australia, who has reigned since 6 February 1952….Monarchy of Australia.

After the Australian National Flag, the order of precedence of flags is: national flag of other nations, state and territory flags, other Australian flags prescribed by the Flags Act 1953, ensigns and pennants.

The Australian National Flag should never be displayed with the Union down except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property. When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms.

The Royal Standard

When The Queen is in residence the Royal Standard is flown. Unlike the Union flag, the Royal Standard is never flown at half-mast.

The Royal Standard is flown at royal residences only when the sovereign is present. If the Union Flag flies above Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle or Sandringham House, it signals that the Queen is not in residence.

THE Royal Standard flag is flown when the Queen is in residence in one of the Royal Palaces. The Royal Standard represents the Sovereign and the United Kingdom; since the Union of the Crowns in 1603, it has taken various different forms.

Buckingham Palace is the Queen’s official and main royal London home, although the Queen regularly spends time at Windsor Castle and Balmoral in Scotland. Windsor Castle is an official residence of The Queen and the largest occupied castle in the world. The castle was the inspiration for the Royal family’s surname.