A viral social media post claiming Pakistan's flag had replaced the Union Jack at Westminster Abbey has been circulating online, but the truth reveals a decades-old tradition honouring Commonwealth nations.
The Viral Claim Versus Historical Reality
The controversial video shows Pakistan's green and white flag flying above the historic London church, accompanied by claims that it signalled "the end of England" and represented a conquest "without firing a single shot." However, fact-checking reveals this is part of a long-established practice at Westminster Abbey that dates back many years.
Westminster Abbey's official policy states that a national flag is flown when the high commission of a Commonwealth member state is represented at the evensong service. This tradition applies to all 56 Commonwealth countries, not just Pakistan.
Pakistan's Annual Celebration at the Abbey
The video likely originates from March 2024 or March 2025, coinciding with Pakistan's National Day on March 23. According to the Pakistan High Commission in London, Westminster Abbey invites them annually to a special evensong service on Pakistan Day to pray for the nation, its leaders, and people.
Documented evidence shows this event has occurred regularly since at least 2017, with press releases confirming similar ceremonies in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. Pakistan rejoined the Commonwealth in 1989 after briefly leaving in 1972, making it eligible for this honour.
Multiple Commonwealth Flags Honoured
Contrary to the viral post's implications, numerous Commonwealth flags have flown above Westminster Abbey in recent years. Documented examples include:
- Singapore
- Cyprus (multiple occasions)
- Canada
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Jamaica
- Sri Lanka
The flag-flying tradition is decided entirely by Westminster Abbey staff as part of their protocol for recognising Commonwealth nations during special services. The practice demonstrates the Abbey's role as a royal church that celebrates Britain's international relationships and the diverse nature of the Commonwealth.
Rather than representing any political change or conquest, the flying of Pakistan's flag symbolizes the enduring diplomatic and cultural ties between Commonwealth nations, maintained through established traditions at one of Britain's most iconic landmarks.
