Trump visit flags replaced as 'wrong shade of red' costing taxpayer £50,000

Nick Farley, the Government’s official flag supplier, said 66 hand-stitched Stars and Stripes were ordered ahead of the visit, at a cost of more than £50,000 to the taxpayer.

He told The Telegraph that the United States insisted on a "cherry red" version of the flag for the three-day trip, rather than the shade usually used for the Union Jack, known as R01.

"Their red is now stronger than the red on the Union flag," Mr Farley said.

"The Americans decided that the red we use wasn’t right for them, so we had to buy all new flags for this visit."

The Mall and Windsor Castle were lined with Stars and Stripes as Mr Trump was greeted by the King, Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales for a three-day state visit.

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The change has not been confirmed by US authorities. Some officials believe the issue could have stemmed from older flags fading in sunlight, which usually requires replacements every five years.

Mr Farley said the difference would not have gone unnoticed.

"Before a state visit, we have to provide samples and go to the embassies in London to get sign-off. Countries find it insulting if we get our colours wrong."

His company, the Flag Consultancy, supplies flags for major state occasions including coronations, royal weddings and state funerals.

The US president hailed his second state visit as "truly one of the highest honours of my life", attending a state banquet, military ceremony, and Red Arrows flypast.

It also featured what was described as the "largest guard of honour ever" for a state visit, though plans for a joint UK-US F-35 fighter jet flypast were cancelled due to bad weather.

Mr Farley said he had faced similar rows in the past, including complaints from Azerbaijan over the wrong shade of red on their flag at last year’s European Political Community Summit.

"That’s the problem with flags that are not commonly flown: it is our interpretation versus their interpretation."

He also revealed he had disposed of his company’s collection of Russian flags, saying a state visit from Moscow was “not likely” while the war in Ukraine continues.

"I realised we had a huge pile of Russian flags the other day and decided to get rid of them,” he said.

"I mean, are we likely to be hosting the Russians for a state visit any time soon?"

A Government spokesperson said: "Our historic US state visit brought record-breaking investment into the UK of £150bn – boosting jobs and catapulting growth."

The US embassy in London has been approached for comment.