Was the Dutch flag based on the French flag?

The flag of the Netherlands consists of three horizontal banners: red, white and blue. The flag of France consists of three vertical banners: blue, white and red. So is that coincedence or did the Dutch base their flag on the French flag?|||Yes and no, the flag of Netherlands is one of the oldest flags in constant use, originating with William I, Prince of Orange, in the latter half of the 16th century. However it is said that it was Henri IV of France who had recommended the colours to the Dutch ambassadors who listened to him and used the three colours for their own flag.





White, red and blue was already in use in France at that time but not in vertical banners, blue was in remembrance of St Martin cloak and in use since Charlemagne , red was in remembrance of St Denis banner and the colour of the Capetian kings , and white was a sign of divine approval and the colour of the Bourbon kings. The Dutch liked the symbolism and used the same colours.





So yes the French influenced the flag of Netherlands, but it was not the French Republic flag with the three vertical banners but a much earlier use of the three colours.|||The Dutch flag is much older than the French flag. It is the oldest tricolour used nowadays. It was introduced in the 16th century. The French flag was introduced during the French Revolution and its colours are usually associated with liberty, equality, and fraternity, the ideals of the Revolution.