Sierra Leone, Royal Standard, 1961-1971 Sierra Leone is a country in West Africa. In 1808, the

Sierra Leone, Royal Standard, 1961-1971

Sierra Leone is a country in West Africa. In 1808, the capital Freetown became a British Crown colony, and in 1896, the interior of the country became a British protectorate. In 1961 it became an independent country within the Commonwealth with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state.

There are personal flags for monarchs in many countries of the British Commonwealth. They are usually derived from the nation’s coat of arms and display the queen’s royal cypher in the centre. The zigzag border represents the Lion Mountains after which the country was named, the three torches symbolize peace and dignity.

After three military coups between 1967 and 1968, Sierra Leone became a one-party-state. In April 1971, a new republican constitution was adopted, making the royal standard obsolete.