A partnership with Switzerland in 1921 saw the colour scheme rotate from vertical to horizontal to represent the nation's renewed status in Europe. All's well that ends well. But not for long.

in which he associates the colour blue with the Virgin Mary’s mantle and the stars with the 12 tribes of Israel. One historian told Euroverify that Tajani’s interpretation is “essentially incorrect".

The European flag consists of a simple blue background with 12 gold stars arranged in a circle. But the 12 stars don’t represent anything specific, and the color blue was selected because the ...

The navy blue colour marks a return to tradition -- it had been then president Valery Giscard d'Estaing who switched the brighter blue in 1976 so that it matched the colour of the European flag ...

The navy blue colour marks a return to tradition - it had been then president Valery Giscard d'Estaing who switched the brighter blue in 1976 so that it matched the colour of the European flag.

The base colour of the flag is Pantone Reflex Blue, while the golden stars are Pantone Yellow. In basic design terms, it fits the key criteria of being easily recognisable and easy to make.

However, all concerned insist that the colour change should not be interpreted as an anti-EU gesture, Europe 1 reports. France is due to take on the rotating EU presidency in January.

The blue of the French flag was changed to match the colour of the EU flag in 1976, but Macron has been using a darker version Credit: Yoan Valat/AP Rebecca Rosman Paris 14 November 2021 8:16pm GMT ...