Half-mast in Belgium: how and when

A flag at half-mast is a sign of mourning. The Belgian Monarchy describes it this way: the flag is lowered halfway down the pole on the death of the King, the Queen or a former monarch, or when the government declares national mourning, for example after a major disaster. The protocol service of the Federal Public Service (FPS) Home Affairs describes how it is done.

How far the flag is lowered

According to the protocol service of the FPS Home Affairs, the flag is lowered so that the gap between the upper edge of the flag and the foot of the pole's finial is equal to the height of the flag. The service's explanation: there is room above the flag to hoist another one, namely the invisible flag of mourning.

An example: a 150 × 225 cm flag on an 8 metre pole is at half-mast when its upper edge is about 1.5 metres below the finial. So it is not exactly halfway down the pole, but one flag's height lower than usual.

It is customary to hoist the flag to the top first and then lower it slowly to half-mast. When it is taken in, it goes back up to the top first and then all the way down.

A pole that is too short

According to the protocol service, a flag at half-mast never touches the ground. If the pole is too short to lower the flag far enough, the top of the pole is wrapped with a black ribbon that is clearly visible and can fly with the flag. The ribbon does not constrict the flag. A flag on a façade pole without a halyard and pulley cannot be lowered; a black ribbon at the top is a common solution there too.

When the flag is at half-mast

• 17 February: the royal decree of 5 July 1974 sets the Belgian and the European flag at half-mast on that day, in memory of the deceased members of the Royal Family. Since the amendment of 29 May 2015, all of them are remembered on that day.
• A death in the Royal Family: the government issues instructions for public buildings.
• National mourning: the government decides whether a day of national mourning is declared. According to the Flemish public broadcaster VRT, little is set down in law, but there are established customs: flags at half-mast on official buildings and a minute's silence. Examples are the Marcinelle mining disaster in 1956, the death of King Baudouin in 1993, the attacks of 22 March 2016 and the floods of July 2021.

Municipalities, provinces, communities and regions also sometimes fly flags at half-mast after a local disaster or the death of a well-known resident.

Other flags

The protocol service notes that the other flags can also be flown at half-mast. When the Belgian, the Flemish and the European flag fly side by side, it is customary for them to be lowered together on a day of mourning. More on the order is in the guide on flag protocol.

Half-mast as a private individual

Private individuals, associations and businesses are not required to fly their flag at half-mast, not even on days of national mourning. Those who do can follow the same method as on public buildings. More on mourning in a family or an association is in the guide on flags in mourning.