The District of Columbia has taken responsibility for an embarrassing flag mix-up outside the White House ahead of the state visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla to Washington on Monday, after Australian flags were raised instead of British ones among the decorations prepared to welcome the British monarch.
Fifteen Australian flags were included among the 230 British flags placed along the route ahead of the visit, which coincides with celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States' Declaration of Independence from British rule. A US Department of Transportation official confirmed the error had been quickly corrected.
The visit comes as the relationship between London and Washington has sunk to its lowest point in 70 years, strained by tensions over the war with Iran. It is hoped the royal visit will help repair ties between the two allies. Trump, in a telephone interview with the BBC, said the state visit could help restore the relationship, describing King Charles as "fantastic" and "a brave man," noting that he has known him for years and that the visit would have a "positive impact."