King of Italy MayJune 1946. When his father Victor Emmanuel III abdicated in May 1946, he was proclaimed king, and ruled 9 May13 June 1946. He was forced to abdicate as the monarchy's collusion in the rise of fascism made him highly unpopular, and a referendum decided in favour of a republic. He retired to Portugal, where he died.
Black represents the occupation of foreigners, red represents the blood of freedom fighters, and green denotes Islam. In the middle of the flag is a mehrab, an arch in a mosque where the congregation stands, and a mender, a pulpit in a mosque. The mehrab and mender are both in white, and are enclosed by wheat. Effective date: 5 February 2002.