A US soldier sparked a diplomatic mishap by displaying the Union Flag upside down during King Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit to Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday.
Flag Error Draws Social Media Scrutiny
The incident occurred on the final day of the royal couple’s state visit to the United States. At the Virginia site honoring fallen military personnel, the King and Queen received a 21-gun salute upon arrival. National anthems, including God Save the King and the Star-Spangled Banner, rang out before they laid a wreath and posy at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to pay respects to war dead and celebrate the UK-US alliance.
Social media users quickly spotted the error, with one commenting: ‘Rather a diplomatic gaffe by the Americans here. The Union Flag is upside down at the Arlington Cemetery event.’
The College of Arms confirms the correct orientation places the wider white diagonal stripe above the red one. Video footage showed the opposite, with the red stripe positioned above the white diagonal.
Prior Flag Mix-Up in Washington
This blunder followed another flag error earlier in the week. Reports indicate 15 Australian flags appeared among US flags displayed across Washington D.C. to welcome Their Majesties. Photographs near the White House captured the mix-up on lampposts, likely due to confusion over the Union Jack featured on Australia’s flag.
Royal Farewell and Trump’s Praise
King Charles and Queen Camilla departed the US on Thursday after a four-day visit, capping it with a White House farewell from President Trump and First Lady Melania in the Diplomatic Reception Room. The President hailed the monarch as ‘the greatest King.’
Royal aides appeared elated at the visit’s success. President Trump gestured an ‘OK’ sign and remarked: ‘Great people. We want people like that in our country. They were really great.’
The encounter marked the fifth meeting between the two leaders, underscoring Trump’s admiration for the British Head of State. Diplomats acknowledge the US President’s shifting alliances—British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer remains out of favor—yet view the King as an effective bridge-builder in relations.
