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Flag of Monaco

Flag of Monaco: 1 Flag ratio: 4:5 (or 2:3); adopted 4 April 1881
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Flag of Monaco:FIAV 110110.svg 1 Flag ratio: 4:5 (or 2:3); adopted 4 April 1881

The national flag of Monaco has two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; it is similar to the flag of Indonesia, which is longer, and the flag of Poland, which is white (top) and red. Red and white have been the heraldic colors of the House of Grimaldi since 1339 at least, but the design of the flag has changed with time.

Monaco's original flag, which was similar to its current State Flag but bore an older version of its coat of arms, was in use from the principality's early days (except during its annexation to France from 1793 to 1814) until the present, simpler design was adopted on April 4, 1881.

Another design (below), consisting simply of lozenges in the Grimaldi family colors (in heraldic terms "lozengy argent and gules"), was used at various times, particularly in the 1600s, as an unofficial flag, and still appears in some royal photographs; however, it has no designated use, and does not represent any Monegasque official in particular.

Flag of Monaco:Miscellaneous occasions, 17th century to present
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Miscellaneous occasions, 17th century to present

Contents

State flag

Flag of Monaco: Flag ratio: 2:3
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Flag of Monaco:FIAV 010010.svg Flag ratio: 2:3

Monaco's state flag, which consists of its coat of arms on a white background, is flown at government offices, the Prince's palace, in the presence of government officials, and as an ensign on the Prince's yacht.

Flag of Monaco:The Princely standard of Albert II
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The Princely standard of Albert II

Princely standard

The princely standard, which consisted of the Crown of Monaco over two opposing letters A on a white background, was the personal flag of Prince Albert II, and was only used in his immediate presence, particularly on cars in which he travelled. It was often seen with a gold fringe on the top, bottom, and right, which is one-ninth the height of the white field.

Notes

  1. Sources disagree as to the flag's usage. According to [1] it is Flag of Monaco:FIAV 110110.svg; according to the World Flag Database it is Flag of Monaco:FIAV 100110.svg; and according to Whitney Smith's Flags Through the Ages and Across the World (1975), it is Flag of Monaco:FIAV 000100.svg.

References


National flags National coats of arms
Flags of sovereign statesCoats of arms of sovereign states
Flags of dependent territoriesCoats of arms of dependent territories
Flags of unrecognized statesCoats of arms of unrecognized states
Flags of micronationsCoats of arms of micronations
Flags of formerly independent states

Categories


Monaco | National flags

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