Of course I knew its origins. You don't spend hundreds of nights on its cruise ships and ferries without knowing something of the brand and its history. As I have said above, I am or have been a shareholder in both enterprises.
The Peninsular bit came first with the Oriental added later. The four quartered colours on the house flag combine the yellow and red of Spain with the blue and white of the Portuguese royal colours. The founders Brodie McGhie Willcox and Arthur Anderson are still recognised in the names of bars on their cruise ships.