Rideau Hall marks Belgian state visit with a German flag

Oeps, foutje. Canadezen signaleren boom die koningin Fabiola in 1977 heeft geplant in Ottawa tijdens eerste Belgisch staatsbezoek met Duits(!) vlagje. Nadat Belgische media hen daar attent op maken, grijpen ze in. #BelCan2018 pic.twitter.com/pSPIqZMzaJ

—@WDehandschutter

"We rectified the situation immediately, prior to their majesties' arrival at the tree planting."

BelgianForeign Minister DidierReynderswas unfazed by the flag faux-pas.

"They are the same colours so maybe that's the reason why, and we have very close relations with Germany so it's not a real problem," he told the CBC'sTerry MilewskionPower & Politics.

But Dehandschuttersaid the Belgians are taking the trip to Canada very seriously. King Philippe andhis wife, QueenMathilde,are being accompanied by seven ministers, 100 business leaders and representatives from Belgium's universities, he said.

'It's a big mistake'

7 years ago

Duration 3:33

"The Germanflag, it [will] make the headlines in Belgium newspapers and in websites, so people are talking about it," he said.

"It's a strange story. Why do you confuse the German flag with the Belgium flag? Theoretically, it's a big mistake by the Canadians."

The royal couple, whose official title isKingand Queen of the Belgians, todayplanted their own sugar maple tree at Rideau Halland placeda wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial.

On Tuesday they're scheduled to attend a ceremony where, in honour of theconclusion of centennial commemorations marking the end of the First World War, a cannon used during that war will be handed over to the Canadian War Museum.