Tesco has been accused of selling Union flags wrongly labelled as Union Jacks ahead of the King's Coronation. The error was spotted by a disappointed shopper who 'expected more from an iconic British brand'.
The anonymous customer also said he could not believe the supermarket made 'such a simple mistake with its British knowledge.' However, the issue might not be as straightforward as it seems.
The bunting, which was being promoted ahead of this weekend's royal occasion, was displayed as a 'Union Jack Flag'. Historically, the term is used when the flag hangs on the bows of a Royal Navy Ship. Therefore, some think the label should read Union flags.
The same labelling was spotted on products like face paint and horns being sold by the supermarket giant.
The shopper who spotted the flags in a Tesco Extra store in Edmonton, north London said: "I can't believe a store as big as Tesco would make such a simple mistake with its British knowledge.
"The Union Flag is the national flag of the UK and the term Union Jack is only used when the flag is flown on the bows of a Royal Navy ship.
"I would have expected more from an iconic British brand."
However, it turns out both names are allowed. A publication, Flying Flags in the United Kingdom , produced by Parliament's Flags & Heraldry Committee in conjunction with the Flag Institute, denotes both names are allowed. Just 16 per cent of Brits knew this, when quizzed.
It should also be noted no law has been passed making the Union Flag the official national flag of the United Kingdom, though it is often regarded as such in practice. The Mirror has contacted Tesco for comment.
This is not the first time Tesco has been questioned by shoppers in the run-up to the Coronation.
The supermarket was recently mocked over a questionable display after it placed a large sign advertising the Coronation in front of loo roll.
Thankfully, fans found the royal mix-up hilarious, like when a similar issue saw Nando's sauces included in one shop's coronation display.
At the time, the store said it happened during a "brief crossover" of changing products in the aisle.
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