Overview
- The Flag Consultancy, the government's contracted supplier, says the US rejected the standard R01 red and asked for a brighter 'cherry red' on the Stars and Stripes.
- Sixty-six hand-sewn flags were commissioned at roughly £800 each, putting the estimated cost at about £50,000 to £52,800.
- The supplier cited the embassy sign-off protocol for state visits and warned that incorrect colours can be viewed as insulting.
- The US embassy has not commented on the reported request, and the supplier noted sun fading of stored flags could also explain the colour difference.
- The new flags lined The Mall and streets near Windsor Castle during September’s three-day state visit, which the government has framed as bringing £150bn of investment.