Flag of the Dutch Republic

What the flag looks like

Three equal horizontal stripes of orange, white and blue.

What it means

The colors come from the livery of William of Orange, who led the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule; the flag is known as the Prinsenvlag, the Prince's Flag.

How to remember it

The Prince's Flag is the Dutch flag with orange where the red is; South Africa's old flag kept the orange too but added three small flags in the middle.

Fun facts

• During the 17th century the orange stripe gradually gave way to red, producing the red, white and blue flag of the Netherlands.
• Its colors live on in places with Dutch roots: the flag of New York City is blue, white and orange.

Dutch Republic at a glance

Existed

1581–1795

Flag used

16th–17th century

Today

Netherlands

Capital

The Hague

Region

1581–1795

Languages

Dutch

Currency

Dutch guilder (ƒ)

Flag adopted

1570s

Flags often confused with the Dutch Republic

• Netherlands: The Prince's Flag and the Netherlands are both three horizontal stripes over white and blue. The Prince's Flag has orange on top; the Netherlands has red.
• South Africa (1928–1994): The Prince's Flag and South Africa's 1928–1994 flag are both orange, white and blue. The Prince's Flag is plain; South Africa's has three small flags in the center of the white stripe.