Emirate of Ra's al-Khaimah

From 1820 Britain imposed treaties or truces with the ruling sheikhs and all Gulf Sheikhdoms were requested by the British to include the colour white in their plain red flags in order to signify that they had signed the Anti-Piracy Treaties. Ra's al-Khaimah was ruled by a collateral branch of the Sharjah Qawasim dynasty, who had adopted the “No. 2” flag with a white border, but in rectangular proportions. The Emirate was recognised independent by Britain in 1921.