King Charles III's visit to the United States concluded on a sour note with a notable 'diplomatic blunder' at Arlington National Cemetery. During a solemn ceremony where the King and Queen Camilla paid their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Union flag was observed flying incorrectly upside down.
Flag Error Confirmed
Sky News correspondent Mark Stone highlighted the error, and the Flag Institute confirmed that flying the flag upside down is 'most improper'. The organisation detailed the correct orientation of its diagonal white and red stripes, emphasising that such a display is reserved for distress signals.
Ceremony Details
The King laid a wreath and Queen Camilla placed a posy of flowers during the event, which was attended by U.S. Army Major General Antoinette Gant and Monica Crowley. Following the ceremony, the King departed for Bermuda.
Second Flag Incident
This incident marked the second flag-related error during the royal visit. Earlier, 15 Australian flags were mistakenly displayed in Washington D.C. prior to the royals' arrival, which were subsequently removed once the error was noticed.
The diplomatic gaffe has drawn attention to the importance of proper flag etiquette during international visits, particularly at such revered sites as Arlington National Cemetery.
