The EU enjoys many of the trappings of a state. It has an anthem and a patron saint, a passport and a President. But it is the EU flag that is the most well known symbol of the union.
In the absence of a genuinely ‘European’ identity, the EU depends heavily on symbols like the flag to reinforce its legitimacy. But just how much are UK taxpayers paying for this flag waving? A Freedom of Information request was sent to the FCO to find out.