An embarrassing mistake has overshadowed a significant moment of King Charles III's state visit to the United States. During a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, the Union flag was displayed upside down, drawing attention and criticism on social media.
The Incident at Arlington
King Charles and Queen Camilla attended the tribute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a monument erected in 1921 to honor unidentified American soldiers who died in war. As American soldiers marched behind the King, the Union flag was seen hanging upside down, an error quickly noticed by observers.
Sky News US correspondent Mark Stone posted on X, formerly Twitter, saying: "Rather a diplomatic gaff[e] by the Americans here. The Union flag is upside down at the Arlington Cemetery event."
Why the Union Flag Appears Asymmetrical
The Union flag's slightly uneven design is due to a historical technique called "counterchanging." Created by combining the St Andrew's Cross and St Patrick's Cross, the arrangement ensures neither nation appears more dominant. The diagonal stripes are deliberately offset, with the red saltire of Saint Patrick not sitting evenly atop the white Scottish saltire. When flown correctly, the white border stripe must be above the red in the top corner nearest the flagpole.
King Charles's US State Visit Conclusion
The wreath-laying marked the end of the King's US state visit. Earlier, President Donald Trump bid farewell to Charles and Camilla, calling Charles "the greatest king in my book" and praising the couple as "great people." Trump added, "We want people like that in our country. They were really great."
On Tuesday, King Charles delivered a 28-minute speech to Congress, receiving a standing ovation. His address focused on international cooperation, urging "unyielding resolve" in supporting Ukraine and emphasizing the importance of the NATO alliance. Many observers noted a subtle dig at Trump, as the King championed sustained global partnerships.
The speech celebrated the UK-US special relationship and was hailed as an exemplary display of "soft power" diplomacy.
Upcoming Travels
Following his state visit, the King will travel to Bermuda for his first royal visit as monarch to a British overseas territory, before returning to the UK.
