The state flag of Queensland

Queensland

Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...

is a British Blue Ensign

Blue Ensign

The Blue Ensign is a flag, one of several British ensigns, used by certain organisations or territories associated with the United Kingdom. It is used either plain, or defaced with a badge or other emblem....

 defaced

Defacement (flag)

Defacement is a term used in heraldry and vexillology to refer to the addition of a symbol or charge to another flag. For example, the Australian flag is the British Blue Ensign defaced with the Southern Cross in the fly and the Commonwealth Star in the lower hoist quarter, beneath the Union...

 with the state badge on a white disc in the fly. The badge is a light blue Maltese Cross with an imperial crown in the centre of the cross. The flag dates from 1870, with minor variations, and the badge was designed by William Hemmant, the Colonial Secretary and Treasurer of Queensland in 1876.

1870 Flag

The State Flag was first created in 1870 with the Union Jack upon the royal blue background; however, no Badge was present. In its place was a profile of Queen Victoria on a blue disc surrounded by a white annulus on which the word Queensland was inscribed in gold. gallery>

1876 Flag

The next alteration occurred in 1876 as there were many complaints that the reproduction of Victoria's head was too difficult and a replacement was called for. Many complaints by State Officials were made, including the example below found in the Queensland State Archives.

The Treasury, Queensland
Brisbane, 15 March 1876

Sir,
Referring to the Circular Despatch of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated the
23rd August last, upon the subject of distinctive badges proposed for the Flags of several
Colonies, I have the honour to advise Your Excellency that the difficulty of producing upon
bunting a fair representation of the head or bust of Her Majesty has proved so great, and the
effect, when produced, so unsatisfactory, as to render it necessary to abandon the idea of using
that device for the Queensland Ensign, and I beg therefore to recommend that the
accompanying design, within a wreath of laurel, be adopted for the Flags of the Colony in lieu
of that formerly advised.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,
(signed) N Hemmant

His Excellency
WW Cairns, Esq, CMG
Brisbane
The Maltese Cross impaled with the Crown was chosen to replace Victoria's head.

1901-1952 Flag

The final official alteration occurred in 1901 with the death of Queen Victoria. The change was in relation to the crown impaled upon the Maltese Cross; as Victoria and Edward VII had chosen differing coronation crowns, the crowns upon the Badge also had to change. However over the years the monarchs of England have chosen differing coronation crowns and therefore, the crowns have unofficially kept up with each change. See Coat of arms of Queensland

Coat of arms of Queensland

The coat of arms of Queensland is the oldest in Australia, and was first granted in by Queen Victoria in 1893 through the simplest form of heraldic grants; with the shield of arms, motto, helmet, mantling and crest.- Suggestions and submissions :...

for further details on the changing of coronation crowns.

External links

http://flagspot.net/flags/au-ql.html