Flag of Spain
The origin of the current flag of Spain dates back to the time of Carlos III (1759-1788), having experienced historical variations until its current version, regulated under the Spanish Constitution of 1978, which, in Article 4.1 states that it will be “formed of three horizontal stripes, coloured red, yellow and red, with the yellow stripe being double the width of the two red stripes”.
By virtue of Article 3.4 of Law 39/1981, of 28 October, regulating the use of the flag of Spain and other flags and ensigns, “the Flag of Spain, as well as the Coat of Arms of Spain, will be hung at diplomatic missions and consular offices, residences of their respective heads and, as the case may be, on their means of official transport”.
Coat of Arms of Spain
The heraldic process of the Coat of Arms of Spain has undergone several changes until it received its last modifications under Law 33/1981, of 5 October, on the Coat of Arms of Spain and under Royal Decree 2964/1981, of 18 December, publishing the official model of the new Coat of Arms of Spain.
National Anthem of Spain
The National Anthem has its origin in a military tune entitled the “March of the Grenadiers”, this composer of which is unknown, which appears in 1761 in the “Book of Ordinance of military tunes of the Spanish Infantry”. At present, the National Anthem is regulated by Royal Decree1560/1997 of 10 October, describing musical rhythms, which establishes the two versions of the anthem, the full version and the short version, and the rules on when each must be used.
The Colonel Director of the Musical Unit of the Royal Guard, Francisco Grau, passed over all of the Rights of Use over his work created to the Spanish State, according to the provisions of Royal Decree 2027/1998, of 18 September.
Publication ‘Origin and changes to the National Anthem of Spain’
General System of State Precedence
1. The Office for State Protocol is entrusted with applying the regulations on the present General System of Precedence.
2. The Protocol Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will coordinate with the Office for State Protocol in order to determine:
a) The precedence of diplomatic representatives, public officials, personalities, corporations or associations of institutions, whether Spanish or foreign, that attend public events of an international nature held in Spain or overseas organised by the State.
b) The precedence of the above at any public event which, although not directly organised by the State, is of particular importance and significance for Spain’s foreign relations. At these events, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will act in coordination with the event organisers.”