White Ensign
The use of the White Ensign is restricted to ships, boats, submarines and on-shore establishments of the Royal Navy.
The Royal Yacht Squadron also fly the white ensign by special dispensation. | Blue Ensign
The Blue Ensign is flown by ships in public/goverment service, by ships commanded by an officer in the Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Research Ships by warrant or by British-registered yachts belonging to members of the certain yacht clubs.
| Red Ensign
The Red Ensign is the civil ensign or merchant ensign of the United Kingdom.
It is the only legally allowed flag flown by British merchant or passenger ships and has been in use since 1707. |