MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Queen Sofia attends “on private capacity” Coronation celebration in London
Previously Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had complained Prince Edward’s visit to Gibraltar next month The Spanish Government formally protested its “displeasure and discomfort” over the state visit of the Earl of Wessex to Gibraltar next month. But Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Garcia-Margallo nonetheless confirmed that the Spanish Queen Sofia will attend the May 18, 60th anniversary of the Coronation celebration in London, but “in a private capacity”.
King Juan Carlos was due to go and dropped out from the event, which included a gathering of global monarchy at a dinner at Windsor castle, because of his health issues after a hip operation.
Prince Edward and his wife Sophie Rhys-Jones are scheduled to visit Gibraltar between June 11 and 13 as part of Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee year celebrations.
But predictably, the visit has not gone down well in the Spanish capital. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Madrid said the issue was raised during a meeting between the British ambassador in Madrid, Giles Paxman, and Santiago Cabanas Ansorena, the ministry’s Director General for Foreign Policy and Multilateral, Global and Security Affairs.
“During the course of the conversation and among other matters, he [the Director General] had the opportunity to inform him of the government’s displeasure and discomfort over the planned visit of their Royal Highnesses the Earl of Wessex to Gibraltar,” the Spanish ministry said in a statement.
Earlier during the day, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Garcia-Margallo had responded cautiously when asked by reporters in Spain would protest to Britain over the visit.
“We are on it,” Sr Garcia-Margallo said. “You have to talk to a lot of people before making any statement on this issue.”
It emerged Madrid wanted to give Britain 48 hours to reply but issued a statement when a response failed to materialise.
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Read all commentsWhen the Spanish give Ceuta and Melilla back to Morocco then they might stop looking like hypocrites, bleating on about something that is none of their business.. British royals can visit British territory anytime they like, same as anyone.
May 14th, 2012 - 06:40 am 0Spain signed a contract stating they gave up rights to Gibraltar for all time, to my knowledge that hasn't changed, this is the same as Argentina with the settlement of differences, these hispanic types sign papers then say oh wait we changed our minds... suck to be you, pay attention next time.
May 14th, 2012 - 07:47 am 0Reality check:
May 14th, 2012 - 10:48 am 0Both Spain and Britain benefit from Gibraltar being 'a different separate entity'.
Thousands of people cross the border daily in and out of Gibraltar to work, visit and trade.
And let's not forger the millions of Brits going on holiday in Spain every year.
It is a matter of Spanish pride but they should rightly not forger Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa.
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