DC displays Australian flags by mistake ahead of King Charles visit

Authorities in Washington, D.C. briefly displayed Australian flags instead of British ones near the White House ahead of the visit of King Charles III, in an error that was quickly corrected, an official from the DC Department of Transportation told Reuters.

The mistake involved the placement of 15 Australian flags among more than 230 flags arranged in the US capital to welcome the British monarch, who is scheduled to arrive on Monday local time. The official noted that the incorrect flags were soon replaced with those of the United Kingdom.

While Charles is also the head of state of Australia, the role is largely ceremonial, and the visit is being conducted in his capacity as the British sovereign.

The state visit comes as part of commemorations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence from British rule and is widely regarded as the most high-profile foreign trip of Charles’ reign to date.

The visit is also expected to focus on reinforcing the “special relationship” between the United States and the United Kingdom, which has come under strain and is described as being at its lowest point in 70 years, partly due to tensions linked to the war in Iran.

By Tamilla Hasanova