Washington D.C. officials made an embarrassing mistake while preparing for King Charles’ upcoming state visit, accidentally displaying Australian flags instead of British ones near the White House, according to a spokesperson from the D.C. Department of Transportation who spoke Friday.
While Charles does serve as Australia’s head of state, that position is primarily symbolic in nature.
The mix-up involved 15 Australian banners that were temporarily hung among more than 230 flags being arranged to greet the British monarch upon his arrival Monday in the nation’s capital. Transportation officials said the incorrect flags were swapped out for proper British flags once the error was discovered.
This state visit represents what many consider the most significant journey of Charles’ time as king, scheduled to commemorate the 250th anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence from Britain.
The diplomatic trip is designed to strengthen the “special relationship” between the two nations, which has reportedly reached its weakest point in seven decades due to tensions related to the Iran conflict.
