North Yorkshire flag maker 'proud' for work to be part of proceedings after Queen's death

Staff at a flag making company in North Yorkshire have spoken of their pride at seeing their work draped over the Queen's coffin as it lies at rest in Scotland.

Flying Colours in Knaresborough has a Royal Warrant, and workers have produced flags for the Royal Family since the turn of the century.

Owner Andy Ormrod said: "We are absolutely honoured that we've manufactured it here in Knaresborough."

The flag, known as the Royal Standard, is split into quarters which represent different parts of the UK.

England is represented by three lions on the first and fourth quarter, the Scottish rampant lion appears on the second and a harp represents Ireland in the third.

The coffin was taken from St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh. Credit: PA Images

Whilst the Queen's coffin has been in Scotland, it has been draped in the Scottish version of the Royal Standard, with the rampant lion on two quarters instead of one.

Staff at Flying Colours have been making flags for the Royal Family since 2000 and have held the Royal Warrant since 2007.

When the most recent order from the Palace arrived, staff quietly suspected the reasons for it.

Mr Ormrod said: "We never know [the reasons] the Palace are ordering, because that is none of our business.

"On this one, when these four yard flags, which means 12 yards by 6 foot - a typical size for a coffin drape - [came in] obviously it's never going to be used for flag pole use.

"It then can sit proudly on top of Her Majesty's coffin. We're really proud of that."

The Queen’s coffin is set to lie in state for four days to allow the public to pay their last respects. Credit: PA Images

The flag seen atop the coffin at St Giles' Cathedral took local seamstress, Anthea Corner-Walker, 50-60 hours to complete.

She said seeing the finished product during the proceedings made her feel proud to have been involved.

Flying Colours' Royal Warrant is set to expire in two years, but staff who undertake the painstakingly intricate process are hoping it will be renewed under His Majesty, King Charles III.

Mr Ormrod added: "We zigzag the stitching all the way around every single claw, every single detailed piece of fur, so it's an absolute dying art and I do hope we can continue."

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