The mayor of Genoa, Italy, has reportedly written to Queen Elizabeth, claiming England owes his city arrears for its use of St George’s Cross.
“Your Majesty, I regret to inform you that from my books [it] looks like you didn’t pay for the last 247 years,” Genoa mayor Marco Bucci said jokingly, admitting that the request could be the “biggest stroke of marketing” for the city.
Genoa first adopted the symbol, and St George as its patron saint, during the Crusades, when the city was a major naval power.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
St George’s cross was then taken up by the English towards the end of the 13th century wars, to be flown by its navy to deter enemies from attacking.
The English agreed to pay an annual fee to the ruler of Genoa for the right to fly the flag, however payment of the fee stopped when the republic collapsed.
The Guardian says that while Bucco’s request may not have any legal grounds, “the matter has been a bone of contention between the two countries for centuries”.
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
The Strait of Messina: a bridge too far?Talking Point Giorgia Meloni's government wants to build the world's longest suspension bridge, fulfilling the ancient Roman vision of connecting Sicily to the Italian mainland
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
Superyachts are getting caught up in spy scandalsThe Explainer China and Russia have both been accused of spying maneuvers on the open sea
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across SyriaTHE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
