Queen of Spain from 1833, when she succeeded her father Ferdinand VII (17841833). The Salic Law banning a female sovereign had been repealed by the Cortes (parliament), but her succession was disputed by her uncle Don Carlos de Bourbon (17881855). After seven years of civil war, the Carlists were defeated. She abdicated in favour of her son Alfonso XII in 1868.
Red recalls the struggle for independence. Blue stands for the Indian Ocean. Yellow expresses hope for a bright future. Green represents agriculture and vegetation. Effective date: 12 March 1968.