Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick

Dec 24

The flag of the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick is a formal and symbolic representation of the Crown’s presence in the province. As the personal standard of the King’s representative in New Brunswick, this flag is deeply rooted in tradition, heraldry, and the constitutional history of Canada. Its design elements reflect both the province's identity and its ties to the monarchy, serving as a powerful emblem of authority, continuity, and unity.

Set against a rich royal blue background, the flag features a central shield derived from New Brunswick’s provincial coat of arms. This shield is flanked by a ring of golden maple leaves—ten in total—arranged in a circular pattern, with a St. Edward’s Crown perched above. Each design element has historical and symbolic significance that speaks to the office of the Lieutenant Governor and the broader context of Canadian governance.

The royal blue background signifies loyalty, authority, and stability—qualities traditionally associated with the monarchy and public service. Blue has long been a color of significance in heraldry, representing justice and truth. It serves as a strong, solemn canvas for the gold and red details that take center stage.

At the heart of the flag is the shield from the provincial arms of New Brunswick. The upper portion of the shield displays a gold lion passant guardant (walking with head turned toward the observer) on a red field. This lion is a traditional symbol of England and speaks to New Brunswick’s historical ties to the British Crown and colonial heritage. It symbolizes courage, strength, and sovereignty.

Below the lion is a depiction of a gold galley ship on a golden field over stylized blue and white waves. This imagery represents New Brunswick’s strong maritime traditions, its shipbuilding history, and its economic reliance on seafaring and trade. The ship is an ancient symbol of exploration and enterprise, and its inclusion on the flag reflects the province’s engagement with the wider world via the Atlantic Ocean.

Encircling the shield is a chain of golden maple leaves—a uniquely Canadian element that emphasizes national unity and provincial participation within the federation. The use of maple leaves, Canada's national symbol, ties New Brunswick’s provincial identity to the wider Canadian nation. The circular arrangement of the leaves symbolizes inclusiveness, unity, and the continuity of governance under the Crown.

Crowning the shield is the St. Edward’s Crown, the traditional symbol of royal authority in Canada and throughout the Commonwealth. This element firmly establishes the role of the Lieutenant Governor as the direct representative of the monarch in New Brunswick. The inclusion of the crown also reinforces the constitutional framework of Canadian government, in which the Crown remains a central institution.