Flag of the British Leeward Islands

The flag of the British Leeward Islands was the flag of the Federal Colony of the Leeward Islands. It was a Blue Ensign with a badge. The colonies under the Federal Colony had their own badges from 1909. The Governor-in-chief of the Leeward Islands used a Union Flag defaced with the coat of arms. The badge depicted two white ships sailing in opposite directions through the straits. In the foreground was a pineapple, with three smaller ones behind it, as the fruit was an important product of island agriculture. The coat of arms of Great Britain appeared above the scene.

Flag of the British Leeward Islands


Use	National flag
Adopted	1871 (with a Tudor Crown), 1952 (with a St Edward's Crown)
Relinquished	1958
Design	A British Blue Ensign defaced with the colony badge.
Designed by	Sir Benjamin Pine


Flag of the Governor of the British Leeward Islands

Adopted	1874 (with a Tudor Crown), 1952 (with a St Edward's Crown)
Relinquished	31 December 1959

The flag was adopted in 1871 when Sir Benjamin Pine was governor; a rumour stated the large pineapple represented him and the smaller ones represented his family (as a form of canting). The flag was in use for 85 years until the federation was dissolved following the annexation of most of its islands to the larger West Indies Federation in 1958. The only change came in 1952 when the Queen Elizabeth II requested the Tudor Crown in all official British symbols be replaced with St. Edward's Crown, which she wore at her coronation.

Flag during the reign of Elizabeth II (1952-1958)
Flag of the governor during the reign of Elizabeth II (1952-1959)

See also