In order to recognize the locals fighting on his side from the defenders, Roger reportedly tore off part of his chequered red-and-white flag.

[7] However, this story has been debunked as a 19th-century myth,[8] possibly even earlier due to Mdina, Malta's old capital, associating its colours with Roger's in the late Middle Ages.

[12][13] The blue canton present in the 1943 to 1964 version of the flag was removed after Maltese independence, with the George cross instead given a red fimbriation.

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.

In spite of the campaign, the removal of the George Cross from the Maltese Flag has been met with pushback by some members of the population.

[23] The civil ensign shows a red field, bordered white and charged with a blank Maltese cross.