Remain campaigners have gathered outside the Royal Albert Hall to distribute thousands of EU flags to audience members attending the Last Night of the Proms.
Concert-goers traditionally wave Union Jack flags on the last night of the BBC’s eight-week concert season to well-known anthems, such as Rule Britannia, Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory.
But this year, pro-Remain volunteers are hoping these will be joined by the blue and yellow-starred EU flag.
An online crowdfunding campaign raised £1,175 to buy the EU flags, with 60 people donating to the cause over 28 days.
The group say they raised enough money to give out 2,500 flags, with excess funds going towards larger individual flags “to give to any very enthusiastic prommers we find”.
“As music is such an international activity that benefits greatly from our membership of the EU this event feels an appropriate venue to show UK solidarity with the EU,” wrote an organiser on the campaign page.
“The event is televised and has a very high profile. Concert goers waving EU flags along with the Union Jack would send a message to the world and our own people about how much music lovers value the EU.”
Pictures posted to a Twitter account in conjunction with the initiative showed people arriving in the early hours of Saturday morning at the west London concert venue to give out the flags, which the group says were made in England and have been handed out by musicians and prom-goers wearing Union flags.
The group, who have wished to remain anonymous, said on Twitter: “Remain party goers bring union and EU flags for the proms. We're British, but EU too. Proud of both,” a further Tweet said.
The group have stressed the initiative is not a protest but a “celebration of the EU in music”.
Despite this, the move has received backlash from the Leave.EU co-founder Aaron Banks, who said he has paid £5,000 for 10,000 Union flags to be handed to prom-goers.
He told the Telegraph: “It is a British event and nothing to do with the EU - this is a pathetic attempt by the desperate 'Remoaners' to hijack a celebration of Britain.”
The EU flag initiative has been backed by the Musician’s Union, who said over Twitter: “We support musicians & prom-goers pro-EU show of solidarity at the Last Night of the Proms.”
Organisers told the Guardian in a statement: “Music doesn’t recognise borders, religion, gender, age, status or creed and most orchestras, shows and music schools rely heavily on talented musicians from inside and outside the EU.”
