<P> In response to public outcry that the palace was not flying a flag at half mast, Queen Elizabeth II ordered a break with protocol, replacing the Royal Standard with the Union Flag at half - mast as soon as the Queen left the Palace to attend the Princess's funeral at Westminster Abbey . The Royal Standard was again flown (at full hoist) on her return to the Palace . Since then, the Union Flag flies from the Palace when the Queen is not in residence, and has flown at half mast upon the deaths of members of the Royal Family, such as Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother in 2002 and other times of national mourning such as following the terrorist bombings in London on 7 July 2005 . </P> <P> In the UK, the correct way to fly the flag at half - mast is two - thirds between the bottom and top of the flagstaff, with at least the width of the flag between the top of the flag and the top of the pole according to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, which decides the flying, on command of the Sovereign . The flag may be flown on a government building at half - mast on the following days: </P> <Ul> <Li> From the announcement of the death up to the funeral of the Sovereign, except on Proclamation Day when flags are hoisted to full - mast, from 11am until sunset; </Li> <Li> The funerals of members of the royal family, upon command of the Sovereign; </Li> <Li> The funerals of foreign rulers, upon command of the Sovereign; </Li> <Li> The funerals of prime ministers and ex-prime ministers of the UK, upon command of the Sovereign; </Li> <Li> Other occasions, by special command of the Sovereign . </Li> </Ul> <Li> From the announcement of the death up to the funeral of the Sovereign, except on Proclamation Day when flags are hoisted to full - mast, from 11am until sunset; </Li>

When is american flag flown at half staff