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 that had been due to be used 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 all big ceremonial events, said the US embassy objected to the £800 flags earmarked for the visit. Speaking to the Telegraph, he said: “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 said the switch meant the stars and stripes featured a brighter shade of red than the union flags flown alongside them. Farley speculated that a sample flag shown to the embassy may have faded slightly due to sun damage from previous uses including Trump’s first state visit in June 2019.
If confirmed, the switch of flags would underline the extent to which Trump was indulged by the UK during his unprecedented second visit. The invitation came in a handwritten letter presented by Sir Keir Starmer during his first meeting with the president in the White House in February.
During the three-day visit, Trump was entertained by King Charles, driven round the grounds of Windsor Castle to avoid protesters, and greeted by Starmer at Chequers. At a joint press conference, a series of dubious claims by Trump went unchallenged by Starmer.
A government spokesperson defended the visit, saying: “Our historic US state visit brought record-breaking investment into the UK of £150bn – boosting jobs and catapulting growth.”
