Major overhaul outside of Windsor Castle amid Donald Trump's visit cost UK taxpayers more than £50,000

Donald Trump thanks King Charles for 'one of the highest honours of my life' in State Visit.

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Royal Pool

Svar Nanan-Sen

By Svar Nanan-Sen


Published: 03/10/2025

- 12:11

Streets surrounding Windsor Castle and The Mall were adorned with US flags

Taxpayers faced a bill exceeding £50,000 after officials discovered that American flags prepared for Donald Trump's State Visit displayed an incorrect shade of red.

Dozens of US flags had to be urgently replaced before President Trump's arrival.


Nick Farley, whose company serves as the Government's official flag supplier, revealed that 66 specially crafted flags were commissioned at approximately £800 per banner.

The hand-sewn replacements were necessary after authorities determined the original flags featured the wrong red tone.

Donald Trump and King Charles

Taxpayers faced a bill exceeding £50,000 after officials discovered that American flags prepared for Donald Trump's State Visit displayed an incorrect shade of red.

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PA

According to Mr Farley, American officials had specified a "cherry red" colour for their national flag, rejecting the standard red previously used.

Mr Farley told The Telegraph: "Their red is now stronger than the red on the Union flag.

"The Americans decided that the red we use, which is called R01, wasn't right for them, and that they wanted a cherry red instead, so we had to buy all new flags for this visit.”

The Flag Consultancy, Farley's firm, holds the contract for supplying woven polyester banners for state ceremonies.

These occasions encompass everything from coronations and jubilees to royal weddings and funerals.

State Visit

Dozens of US flags had to be urgently replaced before President Trump's arrival.

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PA

The three-day state visit last month saw President Trump and his wife Melania, welcomed by the King and Queen, along with the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The visit featured a military ceremony, Red Arrows flypast and State Banquet.

President Trump described the occasion as "truly one of the highest honours of my life."

Streets surrounding Windsor Castle and The Mall were adorned with the newly purchased US flags.

State Visit

Streets surrounding Windsor Castle and The Mall were adorned with the newly purchased US flags.

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PA

Donald Trump and King Charles

President Trump described the occasion as "truly one of the highest honours of my life."

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PA

Mr Farley emphasised the importance of colour accuracy, noting that embassy officials must approve flag samples before state visits.

He said: "Countries find it insulting if we get our colours wrong.

The possibility exists that sunlight exposure caused the colour discrepancy, as Mr Farley acknowledged that weather damage typically necessitates flag replacement every five years.

A Government spokesman defended the expenditure, stating: "Our historic US State Visit brought record-breaking investment into the UK of £150bn, boosting jobs and catapulting growth."