Friday, February 6, 2009

UK Flag Gaffe

In yesterday's The Straits Times, it was reported that the UK flag was displayed upside down at an official signing ceremony between China and the United Kingdom attended by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday, February 3, 2009.

The Flag of the Union should be displayed with the thick white parts of the diagonal cross nearest the flagpole above the thin white parts. The way it was displayed (as seen in the picture), with the thinner parts uppermost, was historically used as a sign of distress or a coded warning of trouble in times of war.

A check of my Hot Toys 1/6 scale 12-inch British Army's Blues and Royals Regiment figures confirmed that I'd place the UK flag/insignia correctly. Wouldn't want to disrespect anybody nor any country.

These British Army Blues and Royals figures are aptly named "William" and "Harry" by me :)

Hot Toys Blues and Royals Regiment Tank Commander reviewed here

Hot Toys British Army Blues and Royals Regiment Lieutenant in Afghanistan reviewed here

Action Man's Blues and Royals in ceremonial attire reviewed here
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2 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 14, 2009 at 7:15 AM

    That is pretty embarrassing that the governor did not notice!
    I guess he's only human right? at an official signing ceremony too! unbelievable!
    they called it "an unbelievable flaw in protocol" also, The Flag Institute said it was "concerned" about the mistake. but if he held the Chinese flag upside down it would have been a bigger story-- a diplomatic problem... or was it a center piece?

    Thanks for the interesting post!

    Terra

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  2. alex teoFebruary 14, 2009 at 11:13 AM

    thanks for visiting ;p

    ReplyDelete