| The Governor General's personal standard flies whenever the incumbent is in residence, and takes precedence over all other flags in Canada, except The Queen's Canadian flag. The standard is dark blue with, at its centre, a crowned lion carrying a red, stylized maple leaf in its right paw. The symbol of the lion also appears on the crest of Canada's coat of arms.
The tradition of choosing Canadians as Governor General began in 1952 with the appointment of Vincent Massey followed by the appointment of Georges Vanier in 1959. At the same time, a custom of alternating persons from English and French-speaking backgrounds developed. The Right Honourable Jeanne Sauvé (Governor General 1984-1990) was the first woman named to the post. The Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc is the twenty-fifth Governor General since Confederation.
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