Access to the flagpole on Portcullis House is currently denied on health and safety grounds so no flags are flown. The Union flag would normally be flown on the following occasions in 2007:
20 January Birthday of the Countess of Wessex 6 February Her Majesty’s Accession 19 February Birthday of the Duke of York 10 March Birthday of the Earl of Wessex 12 March Commonwealth Day (second Monday in March) 21 April Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen 23 April St. George’s Day 9 May Europe Day 2 June Coronation Day 10 June Birthday of The Duke of Edinburgh 16 June Official Celebration of Her Majesty’s Birthday 17 July Birthday of The Duchess of Cornwall 15 August Birthday of the Princess Royal 11 November Remembrance Day 14 November Birthday of The Prince of Wales 20 November Her Majesty’s Wedding Day
Also the day of the opening of a Session of the Houses of Parliament by Her Majesty and the day of prorogation of a Session of the Houses of Parliament by Her Majesty.
The Union flag is flown on Victoria Tower when either House is sitting from 10 am until sunset or when the Sovereign is on the premises when the Royal Standard is raised.