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Big welcome for Royal visitors
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The Queen's youngest son, Prince Edward and his wife, the Countess of Wessex, flew into Gibraltar yesterday for a 3-day official visit to a rapturous reception from all sections of the Gibraltar community. The visit forms part of the celebrations of the Queen's Diamond jubilee.
After the formal reception at the airport, which included a military guard of honour, the Royal visitors were driven to a crowded John Mackintosh Square, where school children staged some dancing on a specially-erected stage.
At the square, and during a walkabout on the main street, the Earl and Countess of Wessex talked to numerous people, who were waving British flags and cheering and applauding. There were people on every vantage point.
The Royal visitors were accompanied by the Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and the Deputy Chief Minister Joseph Garcia and their wives.
Said Picardo: "We wanted to show Her Majesty our respect, affection and loyalty in her Diamond Jubilee year and the people of Gibraltar have come out in droves to welcome our Royal visitors."
Breaking away from the advertised programme, it has emerged that a large image of the Queen will be projected on the North face of the Rock this evening, at 10.30pm.
Another highlight of the visit today will be a military parade in Grand Casemates followed by a garden party to celebrate the official birthday of The Queen.
The parade will be the Queen's Birthday Parade which will include the presence of Prince Edward and his wife.
Their programme also includes the opening of a children’s playground at the Moorish Castle Estate and a visit to the Laguna Estate.
There are also visits to Headquarters British Forces, the Mission for Seafarers, the Port Authority, the Museum and the new law courts. They will also meet those people involved with Her Majesty the Queen’s 1954 visit during a visit to the Upper Rock and unveil a plaque on the Moroccan Fountain in Alameda Gardens to honour Moroccan Workers in Gibraltar.
Their Royal Highnesses will depart Gibraltar from the new airport terminal building on Wednesday, where the Governor and the Chief Minister will say their farewells before the Royal visitors board their flight back to London.
12-06-12
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