President Donald Trump's administration has been criticized for a mistake made over King Charles III's visit to the United States.
Black lampposts outside of the White House were adorned with flags representing Australia, not the United Kingdom.
Political analysts were left astonished by the mix-up, which Trump's admin apologized for at the time. The i Paper opinion editor, Victoria Richards, suggested this was an awkward moment during a strained time for the US and UK's relationship.
Richards wrote, "The blunder happened on Friday, when hundreds of national banners were installed across the capital to welcome the King and Queen Camilla, who are making a four-day state visit to Washington, New York and Virginia to mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The error was 'quickly corrected', a DC Department of Transportation official said on Friday."
Richards went on to suggest the flag change may have been more than just a simple slip-up. She added, "But given how much the UK Government is hoping the state visit will heal the rift between the US and the UK – and between Donald Trump and Keir Starmer – the slip-up serves as a pretty good summation of how much attention America as a whole is paying. Namely: not a lot.
"So, this gaffe, now, when relations between our two nations are at perhaps their lowest ebb in 70 years, feels – accidental as it may be – like a power move.
"Britain is sharply divided as to whether the King should be meeting Trump and touring the US, worried our honor and dignity is being traduced. The US, meanwhile, can’t even remember what our flag looks like. And, in the end, what we’re left with is the message that there’s only “king” who matters in Washington – and his name is Donald Trump."
Further analysis from political commentator Art Candee suggested the Trump admin should be embarrassed by the flag mix-up. Candee wrote, "Trump’s administration put up some Australian flags instead of British flags ahead of King Charles’ visit? Embarrassing and beyond symbolic of this dumpster fire presidency."