UK flag taken down from outside EU headquarters

Union Jack replaced by EU banner three hours before Brexit

The UK flag has been removed from its pole outside the European Parliament in Brussels.

Three officials took down the Union flag at exactly 8pm, watched by crowds of journalists and British expats.

Several former assistants to the UK’s MEPs also attended, sporting their commemorative UK/EU scarves.

There was a small cheer as the lowering mechanism got briefly stuck, with one onlooker joking: “It means you have to remain.”

Once the flag was eventually unhooked and folded up, it was quickly replaced by the EU flag.

The Union flag is due to be placed in the House of European History in Brussels, a spokesman for the European Parliament said.

A similar procedure also took place outside the European Council building where national leaders gather for their regular summit.

The Union flag from the foyer of the parliament was removed by mid-afternoon on Friday, while the flag from inside the European Council was also taken down on Friday evening.

Additional reporting by agencies