American flags bought for Trump’s visit to UK replaced because of 'wrong shade of red'
LONDON, ENGLAND: The UK government reportedly spent more than £50,000 (about $67,531) to replace American flags ahead of President Donald Trump’s three-day state visit last month because the originals were reportedly the wrong shade of red.
British officials were forced to replace 66 hand-sewn Stars and Stripes flags, each costing £800 ($1,080). The new batch came in a lighter “cherry red” hue, which the Americans insisted was “right for them.”
Nick Farley explains why original flags were rejected
Nick Farley, managing director of the UK government’s official flag supplier, explained that the change was made to avoid possibly “insulting” the US delegation.
Farley’s company, the Flag Consultancy, has draped flags for everyone from government departments to royal weddings, including the Prince and Princess of Wales’s big day. Even his seasoned team had to adjust for Trump’s visit.
Dozens of American and British flags were hoisted along the Mall and streets near Windsor Castle in Berkshire, where Donald and Melania Trump stayed. The couple received what has been billed as the biggest military ceremonial welcome for a state visit in living memory.
Farley told The Telegraph, “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 admitted the new batch popped so brightly that “their red is now stronger than the red on the Union Flag.”
Farley also explained the strict approval process: “Before a state visit, we have to provide samples and go to the embassies in London to get signoff. Countries find it insulting if we get our colours wrong.”
He suggested a sample flag shown to the embassy might have suffered from too much sunlight, fading after being used for Trump’s first state visit back in June 2019.
“One part of their flag is red. And the one we had in storage was closer to a russet colour, and let’s just say they were unhappy,” he explained. “That’s the problem with flags that are not commonly flown: it is our interpretation versus their interpretation.”
Donald and Melania Trump receive royal reception
Flags aside, Donald and Melania Trump enjoyed the pinnacle of royal treatment. They arrived in the UK on September 16, joining King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and a parade of royals and dignitaries. The President even rode in a carriage procession, with the route lined by 1,300 British service personnel.
This was followed by a military parade and a flypast by the Red Arrows aerobatics team, though poor weather grounded the British and US F-35 jets that were supposed to showcase the “special relationship.”
The First Couple also had a private chat with Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales. A spokesperson for Prince William called the meeting “warm and friendly.” Donald Trump later praised the royals, calling Catherine “beautiful” and predicting William “is going to have unbelievable success in the future.”
The US President said of the visit, “It was truly one of the highest honours of my life.
While Britain covered the flag expenses, officials said it was all worth it. A government spokesperson noted, “Our historic US state visit brought record-breaking investment into the UK of £150 billion – boosting jobs and catapulting growth.”
