Down Under blunder: DC mistakenly displays Australian flags instead of British ones ahead of King Charles visit [View all]

Source: The Independent

Saturday 25 April 2026 00:21 EDT


Australian flags were mistakenly hoisted in Washington, D.C., ahead of King Charles’ upcoming visit — in what could be described as a Down Under blunder.

On Friday, hundreds of national banners were installed across the capital to welcome the U.K. monarch, including British and American emblems. Somehow, 15 Australian flags were also included. Photos show clusters of Australian flags lining black lamp posts near the White House and the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

The confusion may have stemmed from the design: the Australian flag features the Union Jack in the upper-left corner, but is distinguished by six white stars set against a blue background.

The mistake was quickly mended, and the Australian flags were removed, a D.C. Department of ​Transportation official told Reuters.


The District of Columbia accidentally raised several Australian ​flags instead of British ones near ‌the White House in preparation for King Charles' visit (Getty)


Photos show clusters of Australian flags lining lamp black lamp posts near the White House (Getty)

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/australia-british-flags-dc-king-charles-visit-b2964756.html