Kingdom of Serbia, 1882-1918 The Kingdom of Serbia was created when the ruler of the Principality of

Kingdom of Serbia, 1882-1918

The Kingdom of Serbia was created when the ruler of the Principality of Serbia, was crowned king in 1882. The Principality of Serbia, suzerain to the Porte, had expelled all Ottoman troops by 1867, de facto securing its independence.

A decree allowed Serbs to use their own maritime flag in 1835. The colours are the reverse of those on the flag of Russia, the warranter of Serbian rights in relations with the Ottoman Empire. The double-headed eagle and the shield on its chest were adopted in late medieval Serbia under the Byzantine influence.

In 1918, Serbia joined with the State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs to form the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, later known as Yugoslavia.