The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland uses as its national flag the
royal banner known as the Union Flag or Union Jack — technically the latter term,
although the more common name for the 
flag, refers to its use as naval jack when flown at sea. The current
design of the flag dates from the union of Ireland and
Great Britain in
1801. It consists of the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England), edged in white, superimposed on
the Cross of St Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which are superimposed on the Saltire of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland). Wales, however, is not represented in
the Union Flag by Wales' patron saint, Saint David, as at the time the flag was
designed Wales was part of the Kingdom of England.
flag, refers to its use as naval jack when flown at sea. The current
design of the flag dates from the union of Ireland and
Great Britain in
1801. It consists of the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England), edged in white, superimposed on
the Cross of St Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which are superimposed on the Saltire of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland). Wales, however, is not represented in
the Union Flag by Wales' patron saint, Saint David, as at the time the flag was
designed Wales was part of the Kingdom of England.
