Speculation about a family rift involving Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty has intensified after his family was spotted flying the Union Flag upside down, miles away from his wedding, which they did not attend.

Displaying the Union Flag upside down is internationally recognized as a distress signal. Some observers believe this may have been a subtle message directed at Peaty and his new wife.

It remains unclear whether the upside-down flag was a deliberate gesture or an innocent mistake by the family known for their patriotic spirit.

The correct orientation of the flag is determined by the position of the broader white diagonal stripe in relation to the red diagonal stripe nearest the flagpole. If the white stripe is above the red stripe, the flag is correctly displayed; if not, it is upside down.

The wedding itself was marred by a family dispute that resulted in Peaty’s parents and other relatives missing the ceremony.

Following the ceremony, newlyweds Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay were seen departing from Bath Abbey, marking the beginning of their new journey together.

The Olympian swimmer, 31, and his blushing bride, 25, beamed as they made their grand exit from the historic building following today’s ceremony.

They walked through an adoring crowd, keen to catch the loved-up couple, before they headed to the opulent Georgian manor, Kin House.

Roughly 120 miles away, in Staffordshire, Peaty’s mother Caroline, father Mark and wider family remained at home as the ceremony unfolded, aid to be ‘heartbroken’ at missing the day.

Adam Peaty’s family have fuelled speculation of a bitter rift by flying a Union Flag upside down while staying hundreds of miles from his wedding where they were notably absent

The inverted flag – an internationally recognised symbol of distress – has been interpreted as a pointed snub aimed at the Olympian and his bride

It comes as Newlyweds Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay were seen leaving Bath Abbey after their lavish wedding – which unfolded against a backdrop of simmering family drama

 Although the bitter feud rages on, it would have been hard to tell, as Holly glowed earlier in the day while arriving the Abbey, guided by her celebrity chef father, Gordon Ramsay, 59.

Caroline had previously insisted  reportedly planned to crash the wedding but has since decided against it explaining ‘It would be too sad’ and ‘ don’t want to spoil his big day.’

Her change of heart came after she’d previously insisted: ‘I will be there, and I will watch from the street,’ before later deciding against it, saying: ‘It would be too sad. I don’t want to spoil his big day.’

Her husband Mark persuaded her not to attend, telling her it would be ‘too upsetting’.

Instead, the Peatys stayed at their home in Uttoxeter – the same home from which Caroline once ferried her son to countless training sessions and competitions.

Although the bitter feud rages on, it would have been hard to tell, as Holly glowed earlier in the day while arriving the Abbey, guided by her celebrity chef father, Gordon Ramsay, 59.

The bride kept her Christmas wedding dress firmly under wraps, covering it with an embroidered lace cloak as hordes of onlookers were eager to catch a glimpse.

Making her way out of the car to the highly-anticipated event, the glowing wife-to-be planted a kiss on her father’s cheek before he guided her through the crowd.

Making her way out of the car to the highly-anticipated event, the glowing wife-to-be planted a kiss on her father’s cheek before he guided her through the crowd

Her bridesmaids, including her younger sister, Tilly, were shortly ahead and stunned in red dresses in keeping with the Yuletide theme

While the big day hasn’t been short of family drama, the Ramsay’s A-list close friends, The Beckhams, arrived showing their support to the couple

Adam Peaty arrives to his wedding followed by the Beckhams at the bath abbey

This morning, Holly chose a dewy make-up look, coupled with an understated updo and veil, only giving crowds a short glimpse of a scalloped skirt underneath her long train. 

Security guards shoved through the masses to make way for the father and bride, as Gordon waved and said, ‘Merry Christmas’ amid the commotion.

Her bridesmaids, including her younger sister, Tilly, were shortly ahead and stunned in red dresses in keeping with the Yuletide theme.

And while the big day hasn’t been short of family drama, the Ramsay’s A-list close friends, The Beckhams, arrived showing their support to the soon-to-be newlyweds.

Among the star-studded guest list which includes 200 attendees, is Sir David, 50, his wife, Victoria Beckham, 51, as well as their children, Romeo, 23, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 14.

The Beckhams and the Ramsays have been close family friends since the early 2000s, with the two clan striking a bond when they both relocated to the USA.

However, the famous brood aren’t short of their own family drama’s either, with eldest son, Brooklyn Beckham, 26, amid a rift between him and his father.

It comes as sources claim the family believe Brooklyn has blocked them in a move that appears to be a sign of his ‘complete estrangement’ from his family.

Today, both fashion designer Victoria and her daughter Harper stunned in glamorous floor-length gowns.

The 14-year-old coupled her black dress with a cropped black fluffy jacket and a matching clutch.

Meanwhile, Spice Girl Victoria put on a chic display sporting large sunglasses and a hard silver purse to complete her glamorous outfit for the big day.

Elsewhere, the Beckham men all cut a dapper figure sporting smart black suits topped off with bow ties and lengthy coats in grey and various shades of brown.