Flag of Malta - The George Cross

The George Cross

The George Cross originally appeared on the flag placed on a blue canton. The flag was changed on 21 September 1964 with Malta's independence when the blue canton was replaced by a red fimbriation the intention being that the Cross appear less prominent. The flag has remained unchanged since.

The Maltese national flag is unique in bearing a decoration from another country, in this case the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (although flags like those of Fiji and Tuvalu retain a number of elements from the colonial era). This has been the cause of occasional controversy since Malta's independence.