London has long been obsessed with flags and its emblem hangers have had much practice over the centuries displaying pennants, ensigns, standards and streamers for all manner of special occasions.
The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (Locog), knew its every step upon international egg shells would be scrutinised. Yet it tripped before the official opening in spectacular style - over the wrong choice of flags.
The first gaffe saw Britain's Foreign Office intervene in a diplomatic row over the flying of Taiwan's flag in central London. It was removed from a display of 206 national colours in the West End amid concern it would upset mainland visitors. It has been replaced with the flag of the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee, which has been used at the Olympics since the early 1980s after the IOC ruled it could not compete as the Republic of China - as Taiwan is formally known.
Mainland officials had complained about the 'offending' flag and it was promptly removed, upsetting Taiwanese officials and expatriates. A Foreign Office spokesman said Locog was responsible but the row continues.
The other flag blooper happened on Wednesday during the North Korea women's soccer team's opening game in Glasgow and it forced British Prime Minister David Cameron to offer a public apology.
The South Korean flag was mistakenly displayed before the North Koreans' match against Colombia. With expressions of horror as the hated South's flag was broadcast to the world, the North Koreans walked off, delaying the kick-off by over an hour.