Flag of Hong Kong (1871–1997)
.svg) | |
| Proportion | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Adopted | 29 July 1959 |
| Design | A Blue Ensign with the coat of arms of Hong Kong on a white disk |
| Designed by | Tao Ho |
The Flag of Hong Kong]] between 1959 and 1997 was a Blue Ensign with the Coat of arms of Hong Kong on a white disk. The flag was adopted as the flag of the territory in 1959 following a grant from the College of Arms with consent from Queen Elizabeth II to use them on a flag.[1] The flag ceased to have official status on 1 July 1997 following the Transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong however it still continues to be used as a symbol of protest against Chinese intervention in Hong Kong.
History
Prior to the Second World War, Hong Kong had no official flag and used a series of blue ensigns with different flag badges. Following the Second World War, the Governor of Hong Kong, Robert Black decided to obtain an official grant of arms for Hong Kong to use on a flag. The design of the flag came from G.C. Hamilton in 1958. The design was approved by the Executive Council of Hong Kong and was later approved with minor amendments by the College of Arms. Queen Elizabeth II granted a Royal Warrant for the arms, which were presented to Governor Black by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The Counsellors of State later permitted the arms to be used on a blue ensign as a flag for the colony on behalf of the Queen.[1]