The speculation surrounding Buckingham Palace and the status of the Union Flag flying atop it has been fueled by reports of an “extremely important” announcement from the Palace. Many feared that this could be related to King Charles III, especially given previous reports of his undisclosed cancer diagnosis earlier in the year. The situation escalated when rumors spread on social media that the Union Flag was flying at half-mast, a traditional indicator of mourning for the Royal family.
However, it’s important to clarify that the Union Flag above Buckingham Palace was not flying at half-mast as of March 18. Contrary to viral photos circulating online, live shots from outside the Palace confirmed that the flag was flying at its usual full mast. This indicates that the Royal family is not in mourning, and there is no immediate cause for alarm regarding the health or well-being of King Charles III or any other family members.
The tradition of flying the Union Flag at half-mast in mourning for members of the Royal family is a relatively recent development. It was initiated by Queen Elizabeth II following the public outcry after Princess Diana’s death in 1997. Since then, it has become customary to lower the flag to half-mast to honor the passing of major Royals, such as Princess Margaret, the Queen Mother, Prince Philip, and Queen Elizabeth II herself.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that Buckingham Palace is not currently serving as the main residence for King Charles III. The Palace is undergoing extensive refurbishment expected to last about 10 years, with an estimated cost of £369 million. Instead, the King and Queen Consort Camilla reside at Clarence House, another Royal residence in London.
