King Charles III places crimson flag on Queen Elizabeth II's coffin: What it stands for

King Charles III was seen placing a crimson flag on Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin at the end of the committal service at at St George's Chapel in London on Monday.

That set many people wondering what that crimson flag stood for, and why it was placed on the Queen's coffin by her heir.

Media reports in the UK explained that this flag was Queen Elizabeth II’s Company Camp Colour of the Grenadier Guards. The Grenadier Guards is one of the oldest regiments in the British Army, and it dates back to the 17th century


The crimson flag placed on the coffin is a smaller version of the Royal Standard of the regiment and is made of silk, explained Metro. The monarch’s Company Colour is crimson.

Queen Elizabeth II held the position of Company Commander of the Grenadier Guards’ Queen’s Company.

Only one flag is presented across a monarch’s reign. That crimson flag retired following the royal funeral ceremony, and went with her coffin when she was buried.

Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-reigning monarch, was laid to rest alongside her late husband Prince Philip in a private burial at St George's Chapel after a majestic state funeral at Westminster Abbey.

After 11 days of national mourning, the queen's flag-draped coffin was lowered into the royal vault underneath the chapel, joining her father George VI and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.

In April last year, the funeral service for Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was conducted at the same chapel. Other members of Queen Elizabeth II's family also lie buried there, including her mother – also Elizabeth, father King George VI, and sister Princess Margaret.

"The Queen was buried together with the Duke of Edinburgh, at The King George VI Memorial Chapel," Buckingham Palace said on the official Royal Family website.