The annual classical music festival caused a stir as it returned with its traditional display of flags
The EU flags outnumbered the Union Jacks (Image: BBC)
In recent weeks, there has been an inundation of Union Jack flags popping up across the country, said to be motivated by patriotism. Just hours after thousands descended into London for the Unite the Kingdom rally, armed with the flags, the annual music event Last Night of the Proms also issued a nod to the recent attempt to unify the country. As the celebration drew to a close, the Royal Albert Hall showed flags including the Union Jack, but it was vastly outnumbered by those of the European Union.
While Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory were performed, the Brussels bloc’s banner visibly outnumbered that of the United Kingdom’s. During the traditional last piece, two huge flags dropped behind the orchestra, while a sea of people in the crowd waved the blue starry flag, which also hung over the balcony. Although the Union Jack was also displayed on the balcony alongside the EU flags, some attendees also sported blue t-shirts emblazoned “Thank you for the EU.”
The union jack flags among the EU flags (Image: BBC)
The Royal Albert Hall’s official website issues guidelines about flag use and stated: “Flags are permitted at the Proms and are traditionally part of the Last Night celebrations.
“We have no objections to concertgoers bringing flags, including, of course, the EU flag, provided they do not interfere with the smooth running of the festival.”
Meanwhile, the t-shirt’s merch website reads: “For 5 years straight, #EUflagmafia have given out EU flags at the Last Night of the Proms in support of the music industry, which will suffer terribly if they lose their freedom of movement. Hence, ‘Thank EU for the music.’”
Following the Saturday (September 13) protests, the campaign group issued an open letter to Sir Keir Starmer and hailed how the flags “drowned out the politics of division” and were “symbols of solidarity”.
“Tonight, during the Last Night of the Proms, the Royal Albert Hall is a sea of blue and gold flags, flying alongside our British flag.”
Unite the Kingdom protest took place on Saturday (Image: Getty)
They continued: “That is the patriotism of integrity and hope. That is Britain at its best. Yet, your proclamation as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom that you are ‘governing for all’ is now twisting into chasing Reform voters’ approval with anti-immigrant narratives.”
“The campaigners then aimed at Reform UK’s leader and went on: “Let’s be crystal clear: pandering to Nigel Farage is not ‘governing for all’.
“It is lowering the bar of leadership to meet the standards of a discourse that thrives on hate and division, and whose extremist supporters today have threatened havoc and fear in central London.”
They added: “Tonight, the Royal Albert Hall shows that the country is ready to be led away from Brexit‘s gruesomely misnamed ‘sunny uplands’, towards higher, more hopeful political ground. The real question is: are you?”
