Royal blue is a deep, rich shade of blue that has an illustrious history. It gets its name from being used frequently by royal families and aristocrats in Europe, particularly in Britain. The exact specifications of royal blue have varied over time, but it remains one of the most recognizable shades of blue today. In this article, we’ll explore the origins and definitions of royal blue, look at how it has been used in flags, uniforms, and more, and help you identify this regal color.
The origins of royal blue
The first known uses of royal blue date back to the 18th century in Britain. It emerged as a popular color choice for British military uniforms, particularly those of high-ranking officers. The rich blue color helped the officers stand out on the battlefield and conveyed a sense of authority. It came to be closely associated with the British monarchy and nobility.
By the early 19th century, the dye chemist George Field had standardized a definition of royal blue by mixing Prussian blue and white. Prussian blue was one of the first modern synthetic pigments. The combination created a vivid blue that was adopted for military and dress uses across Europe.
Other shades of blue have also been called royal blue. French royal blue had more purple or lavender undertones. Royal blue as we know it today became particularly popular after it was used for the British Order of the Garter, which was founded in 1348 and is the highest order of chivalry in the UK.
Modern definitions of royal blue
Today, royal blue is defined by the following color codes:
| Hex code | #4169E1 |
| RGB | 65, 105, 225 |
| CMYK | 71, 53, 0, 12 |
This hex code was standardized by the X11 system for web colors in 1987 and has remained the definitive royal blue from that point onward.
The Pantone Matching System, which is a standard color reproducing system, also has a royal blue swatch. Pantone Royal Blue has the Pantone number 19-4064.
These color codes give royal blue a vivid, jewel-like appearance leaning toward purple rather than green on the color wheel. It is considered a web-safe color, meaning it is consistent across browsers and screens.
Royal blue in flags
Royal blue has been associated with monarchy and used prominently in flags ever since its inception. Some examples include:
– The flag of New Zealand, which contains the Union Jack in the top left corner and royal blue background representing the sea and sky. The color was officially adopted in 1902.
– The flag of the Fiji Police Force features a royal blue background as a symbol of government authority.
– The Grand Union Flag adopted by George Washington as the first flag of the Continental Army in 1775 had a royal blue canton in the corner holding the Union Jack.
– The flag of the Caribbean nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis has two yellow stars on a vivid royal blue background.
– The state flag of Queensland, Australia contains royal blue, symbolizing the state flower, the Cooktown orchid.
Royal blue in uniforms
Royal blue remains a popular uniform color for government, military, police, aviation, and other public service uniforms to this day. Examples include:
| Organization | Use of Royal Blue |
| NYPD | Royal blue uniforms |
| United Nations Peacekeepers | Blue helmets and berets |
| US Air Force | Service dress uniforms |
| British Airways | Pilot and crew uniforms |
| UPS | Driver uniforms |
The blue communicates authority and trust in these public-facing roles. It also provides visibility for pilots, delivery drivers, and peacekeepers.
Royal blue in culture
Beyond its official applications, royal blue has woven its way into art, culture, sports, and business over the years:
– Ford’s famous Ford GT40 race cars were painted royal blue when they won the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race from 1968-1969.
– Elvis Presley wore a two-piece suit in royal blue for the cover of his 1968 comeback TV special.
– The Japanese manga series The Rose of Versailles featured royal blue hair for the main character Oscar François de Jarjayes, highlighting her French royal background.
– Roy Lichtenstein used Ben-Day dots to create vivid royal blue backgrounds in many of his pop art comic paintings like Drowning Girl.
– A royal blue Ford Anglia was featured prominently in the Harry Potter books and films as Harry and Ron’s flying car.
Identifying royal blue
So how do you spot royal blue in the real world? Here are some tips:
– It is darker and more muted than primary blue. Royal blue has hints of purple whereas primary blue is closer to cyan.
– It is not as dark as navy blue. Navy has more black added to the blue pigment. Royal blue retains its vividness.
– It is less vibrant than other MEDIUM blues like dodger blue. Royal blue is more regal and subdued.
– It differs from light and medium orchid purple, which have redder undertones. Royal blue stays closer to the blue side of the spectrum.
– It pops against yellow, white, and silver metals but can sometimes look darker alongside black.
With its stately pedigree and striking visual appeal, royal blue continues to feel both historical and contemporary. Next time you spot this rich shade, you can put a name to its distinctive royal personality.
