The final day of King Charles III’s visit to the United States was marred by what has been described as a ‘diplomatic blunder’ at Arlington National Cemetery. The King and Queen Camilla, who arrived in the US on Monday, were at the Virginia memorial on Thursday to pay their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. However, during the ceremony, the Union flag was incorrectly flown upside down.
Flag Error Spotted
Sky News correspondent Mark Stone remarked on X: “Rather a diplomatic gaff (sic) by the Americans here. The Union flag is upside down at the Arlington Cemetery event.” According to the Flag Institute, in the half nearest the flagpole, the wider diagonal white stripe must be above the red diagonal stripe. The institute states: “It is most improper to fly the flag upside down.”
Ceremony Details
During the event, the King and Queen were met by US Army Major General Antoinette Gant and Monica Crowley, the chief of protocol of the United States. The King laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, while Queen Camilla laid a posy of red, white and purple flowers. A military band played four muffled ruffles and taps, followed by a silent moment of remembrance.
After the ceremony, the King and Queen attended other engagements in Virginia. The King later departed for Bermuda, a British Overseas Territory. Neither the King nor the Queen has publicly commented on the flag being flown upside down.
Second Flag Blunder
This incident is the second flag-related mistake during the royal visit. Ahead of the King and Queen’s arrival, hundreds of national banners were installed around Washington, D.C. to welcome them. Among the British and American emblems were 15 Australian flags, which were hung near the White House and the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. The mistake was quickly corrected, and the flags were removed, a D.C. Department of Transportation official told Reuters. The Australian flag, featuring the Union flag in the upper left corner, is distinguished by a collection of white stars against a blue background.
