{{Short description|Flags used for Greater London, England}} {{Use British English|date=June 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
The Greater London Authority and predecessor bodies, the Greater London Council and London County Council, have flown and used many flags and symbols.
==London County Council== {{main|Coat of arms of London County Council}} London County Council was created in 1889, replacing the Metropolitan Board of Works. The council was granted a coat of arms in 1914 and flew a banner of these arms over County Hall from 1923 onwards.<ref>{{cite news|title=London County Council, The council's coat-of-arms|newspaper=The Times|date=27 May 1914|page=5}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ourhistory-hayes.blogspot.com/2016/11/london-county-council-flag-1923.html|title=Hayes Peoples History: London County Council Flag 1923|first=Michael|last=Walker|date=30 November 2016|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612105847/http://ourhistory-hayes.blogspot.com/2016/11/london-county-council-flag-1923.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.onlondon.co.uk/mohammad-khpal-a-new-logo-for-london-is-long-overdue/|title=Mohammad Khpal: A new logo for London is long overdue|first=Mohammad|last=Khpal|date=2 April 2020|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612110250/https://www.onlondon.co.uk/mohammad-khpal-a-new-logo-for-london-is-long-overdue/|url-status=live}}</ref> The arms depicted waves representing the River Thames, the flag of England and a lion to signify London's status as the capital city of England and the United Kingdom and a mural crown.
<gallery> Image:Coat of Arms of London County Council.svg|Coat of arms of London County Council (1914–1965) Image:LCC Badge.png|Badge of London County Council Image:Flag of the London County Council.svg|Banner of the London County Council (1914–1965) Image:Common Seal of the London County Council.png|Common Seal of the London County Council (1889-1965) Image:Emblem of London County Council (1894).png|Emblem of London County Council (1894) Image:Proposed coat of arms of London County Council (1914).jpg|Proposed coat of arms of London County Council (1914) </gallery>
==Greater London Council== {{Main|Coat of arms of Greater London}} London County Council was replaced in 1965 by the Greater London Council (GLC), which covered a larger area. The GLC was subsequently granted a coat of arms<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://holdaway-family.website/mylifestory/my-life-page-38/|title=My Life – Page 38|date=23 November 2016|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-date=3 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203080435/https://holdaway-family.website/mylifestory/my-life-page-38/|url-status=live}}</ref> which contained elements taken from the arms of its predecessor bodies: waves taken from the arms of London County Council and a Saxon crown taken from the arms of Middlesex County Council. The flag of the GLC consisted of its coat of arms displayed on a white field.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-508 | title=Flag of the Greater London Council | Royal Museums Greenwich | access-date=24 October 2022 | archive-date=24 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024163719/https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-508 | url-status=live }}</ref> The common seal of the GLC depicted the coat of arms of the council surrounded by london landmarks and the words "THE COMMON SEAL OF THE GREATER LONDON COUNCIL: 1964".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://uindy.historyit.com/item.php?id=290345 | title=Institute for civic leadership and digital mayoral archives | access-date=10 March 2023 | archive-date=10 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310120901/https://uindy.historyit.com/item.php?id=290345 | url-status=live }}</ref>
<gallery> Image:Coat of arms of Greater London.svg|Coat of arms of the Greater London Council (1965–86) Image:Badge of Greater London Council.svg|Heraldic badge of the Greater London Council (1966–86) Image:Penning Common seal of the Greater London Council, objectnr PA 3173.12.jpg|Common seal of the Greater London Council Image:Flag of Greater London.svg|Banner of arms of the Greater London Council (1965–86) Image:Flag of the Greater London Council.png|Maritime flag flown on Greater London Council vessels (1965–86)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flag, Greater London Council {{!}} Royal Museums Greenwich |url=https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-409 |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=www.rmg.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-508 | title=Flag of the Greater London Council | Royal Museums Greenwich | access-date=24 October 2022 | archive-date=24 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024163719/https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-508 | url-status=live }}</ref> </gallery>
==Interregnum== {{see also|Governance of Greater London (1986–2000)}} The Greater London Council was abolished in 1986 leaving London without a strategic local government authority. A number of ad hoc bodies were established including the Inner London Education Authority, London Boroughs Grants Committee, London Fire and Civil Defence Authority, London Planning Advisory Committee, London Regional Transport, the London Research Centre and the London Residuary Body. <gallery> Image:Inner London Education Authority logo.png|Logo of the Inner London Education Authority Image:London Fire and Civil Defence Authority text logo.png|Logo of the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority Image:London Planning Advisory Committee logo.jpg|Logo of the London Planning Advisory Committee Image:LondonRegionalTransport.png|Logo of London Regional Transport </gallery>
==Greater London Authority== {{Main|Coat of arms of Greater London}} The Greater London Authority was established in 2000 and was granted the right to use the coat of arms of the former Greater London Council in 2025.<ref>https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/5009529</ref>
For the first few months of its existence, the Greater London Authority used a logo depicting a representation of the course of the River Thames against a green disk also containing the name of the authority.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.london.gov.uk/news_release.htm|title=Greater London Authority News Releases|date=22 June 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000622015339/http://www.london.gov.uk/news_release.htm|archive-date=22 June 2000}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.london.gov.uk/assembly/pqt/pqtoct24/pqt_oct24_intro.htm|title=Peoples Question Time 24 October 2000 - Introduction|date=10 December 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001210065500/http://www.london.gov.uk/assembly/pqt/pqtoct24/pqt_oct24_intro.htm|archive-date=10 December 2000}}</ref>
in 2001, a wordmark was adopted, created by design agency Appetite, consisting of the word LONDON with the letters LOND in blue and ON in red. A flag depicting this logo was flown outside City Hall, the headquarters of the Greater London Authority, between 2001 and 2008. The wordmark was updated to a monochrome colour scheme in 2008 by Boris Johnson, during his tenure as mayor."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/branding_59|title=Branding - a Freedom of Information request to Greater London Authority|date=26 October 2010|website=WhatDoTheyKnow|access-date=13 June 2021|archive-date=13 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613192210/https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/branding_59|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.london.gov.uk/news/250-0412.htm|title=Greater London Authority - News Release 250-0412|date=17 February 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010217060357/http://www.london.gov.uk/news/250-0412.htm|archive-date=17 February 2001}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/50225/response/134368/attach/3/GLA%20logos%20brand%20guidelines%20OLD.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1|title = Branding - a Freedom of Information request to Greater London Authority|date = 26 October 2010|access-date = 11 June 2021|archive-date = 11 June 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210611140904/https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/50225/response/134368/attach/3/GLA%20logos%20brand%20guidelines%20OLD.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1|url-status = live}}</ref>
In 2016, the Greater London Authority flew a pink flag with the text "#LondonIsOpen" outside City Hall.<ref>https://www.itsnicethat.com/news/london-is-open-campaign-sadig-khan-120716</ref><ref>https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-three-flags-outside-city-hall-london-england-the-union-jack-the-eu-144734573.html</ref>
From 31 January 2020, after Brexit (which a majority in Greater London voted against<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/find-information-by-subject/elections-and-referendums/upcoming-elections-and-referendums/eu-referendum/electorate-and-count-information|title=EU referendum results|website=Electoral Commission|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630063455/https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/find-information-by-subject/elections-and-referendums/upcoming-elections-and-referendums/eu-referendum/electorate-and-count-information|archive-date=30 June 2016}}</ref>), a flag based on a campaign graphic originally launched in 2016<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-08-01|title=David Shrigley and Sadiq Khan launch LondonIsOpen poster campaign for Tube|url=https://www.dezeen.com/2016/08/01/londonisopen-poster-campaign-david-shrigley-sadiq-khan-tube-network-transport-tfl-uk/|access-date=2021-07-26|website=Dezeen|language=en|archive-date=26 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726154507/https://www.dezeen.com/2016/08/01/londonisopen-poster-campaign-david-shrigley-sadiq-khan-tube-network-transport-tfl-uk/|url-status=live}}</ref> was flown, the design consisting of a white field charged with the word "LONDON" where the letters "O" in the word are representations of the globe showing different hemispheres and with the legend "EVERYONE WELCOME" in smaller letters below.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stephenfriedman.com/news/209-david-shrigley-s-flag-replaces-the-eu-flag-at/|title=David Shrigley's flag replaces the EU flag at City Hall|website=Stephen Friedman Gallery|access-date=21 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203655/https://www.stephenfriedman.com/news/209-david-shrigley-s-flag-replaces-the-eu-flag-at/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Placeholder flags, with the words CITY HALL on either a blue or red background have also been flown outside City Hall.<ref>https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/gb-e-gla.html</ref><ref>https://londonist.com/london/latest-news/city-hall-royal-docks</ref>
In February 2020, London Assembly member and Deputy Mayor Tom Copley proposed a motion calling on the Mayor of London to ask the College of Arms to transfer the arms of the Greater London Council to the Greater London Authority.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.london.gov.uk//press-releases/assembly/gla-asks-for-the-old-glc-coat-of-arms|title=GLA asks for the old GLC coat of arms as a birthday present|date=6 February 2020|website=London City Hall|access-date=13 June 2021|archive-date=13 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613192218/https://www.london.gov.uk//press-releases/assembly/gla-asks-for-the-old-glc-coat-of-arms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/10103|title=Greater London Authority could adopt GLC coat of arms|access-date=12 January 2022|archive-date=2 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202131216/https://london-se1.co.uk/news/view/10103|url-status=live}}</ref> The motion received unanimous support from assembly members; however, Mayor Sadiq Khan, while supporting the request in principle, asked the assembly to consider costs involved and to reconfirm the decision the following month.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/response_from_mayor_to_motion.pdf|title=Letter from Mayor Sadiq Khan to Jennette Arnold, 1 May 2020|website=Greater London Authority|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612111017/https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/response_from_mayor_to_motion.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The arms and badge of the former Greater London Council were granted to the Greater London Authority in November 2025.<ref>https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/the-king-grants-the-mayor-of-london-permission-to-use-the-glcs-historic-coat-of-arms-85896/</ref><ref>https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/5009529</ref>
The Chair of the London Assembly wears the ceremonial badge of office that was previously worn by the Chairman of the Greater London Council.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/navin-shah-first-indian-to-become-city-hall-chair-3838678|title=Navin Shah becomes first British Indian to be elected chair of the London Assembly|first=Nathalie|last=Raffray|date=15 May 2020|website=Kilburn Times|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612111454/https://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/navin-shah-first-indian-to-become-city-hall-chair-3838678|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mayorwatch.co.uk/london-assembly-elects-jennette-arnold-as-chair/|title=London Assembly elects Jennette Arnold as Chair|date=11 May 2012|website=MayorWatch|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612111455/https://www.mayorwatch.co.uk/london-assembly-elects-jennette-arnold-as-chair/|url-status=live}}</ref> The badge, which depicts the coat of arms of the Greater London Council and the letters GLC, is made of 18 ct gold with 29 diamonds, four clusters of 8 small pearls and a pendant pearl.<ref name="auto"/>
The Greater London Authority makes bylaws under its common seal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/psg_application_form_-_covid_rally_may_2021_0.pdf|title=Application for public meetings, demonstrations and rallies in Parliament Square Garden|website=london.gov.uk|access-date=25 June 2023|archive-date=3 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103121849/https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/psg_application_form_-_covid_rally_may_2021_0.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> This is a wafer seal consisting of a disc containing no symbol or insignia surrounded by the words "COMMON SEAL OF THE GREATER LONDON AUTHORITY".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/osiers_road_s106_dated_18.10.19_-_3_of_4.pdf|title=Regulation|website=london.gov.uk|access-date=25 June 2023|archive-date=3 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103165547/https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/osiers_road_s106_dated_18.10.19_-_3_of_4.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
;Current <gallery> Image:Coat of arms of Greater London.svg|Coat of arms of the Greater London Authority Image:Badge of Greater London Council.svg|Badge of the Greater London Authority Image:Flag of Greater London.svg|Banner of arms of the Greater London Authority Image:Logo of the Greater London Authority (monochrome).png|Wordmark used by the Greater London Authority Image:Greater London Authority logo.svg|Wordmark used by the Greater London Authority Image:Mayor of London logo1.svg|Wordmark used by the Mayor of London Image:London Assembly logo.svg|Wordmark used by the London Assembly </gallery>
;Historic <gallery> Image:Greater London Authority original logo.png|Logo of the Greater London Authority (2000–01) Image:Logo of the Greater London Authority (full colour).png|Wordmark of the Greater London Authority (2001–2008) Image:Flag of the Greater London Authority.svg|Flag flown by the Greater London Authority (2001–2008) Image:Flag of the Greater London Authority (2016).png|Flag flown at City Hall (2016) Image:Flag of the Greater London Authority (2020).png|Flag flown at City Hall (2020) File:2005-04-09 - United Kingdom - England - London - City Hall and Tower of London - Miscellenaeous 4887791798.jpg|Flags being flown by the Greater London Authority outside City Hall in 2005 Image:London Development Agency logo.png|Wordmark of the London Development Agency (abolished in 2012) Image:Metropolitan Police Authority logo.png|Logo of the Metropolitan Police Authority (abolished in 2012) Image:London Fire Authority Logo.jpg|Logo of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (abolished in 2018) </gallery>
==See also== *Flag of the City of London *Armorial of London *History of local government in London
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{Subnational flags of the United Kingdom}}
Greater London Category:Greater London