  |
Visit 'huge success', says Government
|
Her Majesty's Government of Gibraltar considers that the visit of Their Royal Highnesses, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, has been a huge success.
A statement adds that the visit has been marked by the accessibility of the Royal couple to the Gibraltarian people, with Their Royal Highnesses clearly going out of their way to communicate with the enormous crowds that gathered at their every appearance.
On their departure yesterday afternoon the Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, has expressed to the Royal couple the gratitude of the people of Gibraltar for their visit and their demeanour throughout the packed three day programme which has been absolutely inspirational for current and future generations of British Gibraltarians.
The final acts of the visit took place at the new airport building where the programme undertaken was exactly as had been agreed some months ago with the Royal Household and has not been subject to any changes as a result of statements or pressure from anyone.
Their Royal Highnesses inaugurated and named the viewing terrace as the "Diamond Jubilee Terrace" and the General Aviation areas as the "Wessex Lounge".
Young Gibraltarian, Chloe Martinez sang the National Anthem upon the unveiling of the plaques erected in the relevant area to commemorate the inauguration of Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee Terrace.
As the Chief Minister had earlier stated, the Government invited the Leader of the Opposition, Peter Caruana, to the event in order to allow him to present to Their Royal Highnesses his views on the development of the new terminal.
Finally, the Chief Minister, on behalf of the People of Gibraltar, made a presentation to The Earl of Wessex of a replica of the Keys of Gibraltar. The presentation was made in front of a photograph of Her Majesty the Queen touching the real Keys of Gibraltar during the course of her visit in 1954. Mr Picardo told the Earl that he made the presentation following the words of Sir Joshua Hassan at the time that he became the first elected representative of the People to address our Sovereign as recorded in the press reports of the time, but changing important words which reflect the changes of the past six decades.
The words used during the presentation were as follows: "[Your Royal Highness [instead of Your Majesty]], I am deeply conscious of the unique honour and high privilege that has fallen upon me of addressing [Your Royal Highness] as the humble mouthpiece of the [Parliament of Gibraltar [instead of Legislative Council]] to offer you as a most loyal and heartfelt [wording now changes entirely] gift, on behalf of the British People of Gibraltar, this replica of the Keys to the City and Garrison of Gibraltar, which will be forever British in perpetuity. God Save the Queen."
The Earl very kindly replied, graciously telling those gathered that he would treasure the gift and present it to Her Majesty the Queen on his return to the United Kingdom.
The Government says it extends its thanks to all those within the Royal Household, the Government and the Convent who have spent many hours planning the visit to the last detail and have ensured that all arrangements worked perfectly to deliver Their Royal Highnesses’ programme so seamlessly.
14-06-12
|
|
|
|
