Dozens of US flags used for Donald Trump’s second state visit to the UK last month had to be replaced because the stripes were the wrong shade of red, a government supplier has claimed. The switch of 66 hand-sewn flags, intended for use along the Mall in London and at Windsor Castle, cost an estimated £52,800 in public funds.
Nick Farley, managing director of the Flag Consultancy, which the government contracts for ceremonial events, said the US embassy objected to the £800 flags originally earmarked for the visit. “The Americans decided that the red we use, which is called R01, wasn’t right for them, and that they wanted a cherry red instead, so we had to buy all new flags for this visit,” he told the Telegraph.
Farley explained that the switch meant the stars and stripes featured a brighter red than the union flags flown alongside them. He speculated that a sample flag shown to the embassy may have faded from sun damage during previous use, including Trump’s first state visit in June 2019. “The one we had in storage was closer to a russet colour, and let’s just say they were unhappy,” he said.
The flag change underscores the extent to which Trump was indulged during his unprecedented second visit, which included entertainment by King Charles, a drive around Windsor Castle grounds to avoid protesters, and a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers. At a joint press conference, several dubious claims by Trump went unchallenged by Starmer.
A government spokesperson defended the visit, stating: “Our historic US state visit brought record-breaking investment into the UK of £150bn – boosting jobs and catapulting growth.”
