Old photo of British flag at half-mast falsely linked to Kate Middleton | Fact check
The claim: British flag was lowered to half-mast at government buildings in UK in March 2024
A March 17 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) shows the Union Jack flying at half-mast on a rooftop.
"BREAKING: Reports that the Union Flag is flying at half-mast at some Government Buildings across the United Kingdom tonight amid reports the BBC is on standby for an 'imminent announcement' from the Royal Family," reads text within the post. "Is this related to Kate Middleton's condition?"
The post garnered more than 400 likes in a day. Other versions of the claim were shared on Instagram, Facebook and X, formerly Twitter.
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Our rating: False
The photo was taken at the British Consulate General in Turkey in 2022, not in the U.K. in 2024. There are no credible reports of government buildings in Britain lowering their flags to half-mast in March 2024.
Half-mast photo taken in Turkey in 2022
Princess of Wales Kate Middleton has been out of the public eye for more than two months as she reportedly recovers from an abdominal surgery she had on Jan. 16. Her absence prompted speculation, which only grew stronger after it was discovered an image she shared to Instagram on March 10 of herself and her children had been edited.
But the picture of a British flag at half-mast shared in the Instagram post is unrelated to the situation with the princess.
It was originally published by the Turkish state-run outlet Andolu Agency on Sept. 9, 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. It shows the flag lowered at the British Consulate General in Istanbul in mourning for the late queen, according to the photo's caption.
Getty Images and AP captured similar photos of the flag on the same day.
Fact check: Edited image used to falsely claim that Princess Diana is still alive
The BBC hasn't published anything indicating it expects an "imminent announcement" from the royal family. The outlet didn't immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.
USA TODAY reached out to the users who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Lead Stories and AFP also debunked the claim.
Our fact-check sources:
Anadolu Agency, Sept. 9, 2022, Due to the death of Elizabeth II, the flag at the British Consulate General in Istanbul was lowered to half-mast
Getty Images, Sept. 9, 2022, Flags at half-mast at British Consulate General
Associated Press, Sept. 9, 2022, The British flag was lowered at half-mast in Istanbul, Turkey - 09 Sept 2022
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Half-mast Union flag photo from Turkey in 2022, not now | Fact check
