D.C. preparation for King Charles visit goes Down Under with Australian flag error

WASHINGTON -- ‌The District of Columbia mistakenly placed ‌several Australian flags instead of British ‌flags near the White House ahead of King Charles’ U.S. visit, although the error was quickly corrected, a D.C. Department of Transportation official ​said on ​Friday.

Charles is ‌also the head ⁠of state for Australia, but the role is largely ceremonial.

Fifteen Australian flags were briefly included among more than 230 flags ⁠put on display to welcome the King. They were later replaced with the British flag, the official said.

Charles’ state visit, ​to mark the 250th anniversary ‌of the U.S. Declaration ⁠of ⁠Independence from British rule, is widely seen as the most high-profile ⁠trip of his reign so far.

The trip will aim ‌to shore up the two allies’ “special relationship,” which ⁠has sunk ‌to its lowest point in 70 years amid strains surrounding the ‌Iran war.

By Kanishka ⁠Singh

(Reporting by ‌Kanishka Singh in ​Washington; Editing by Edmund Klamann)