A portrait of the Queen by British photographer David Bailey has been released in honour of her 88th birthday on Monday. The black and white photo, which shows the Queen smiling, was taken in March. She is pictured wearing pearls, and a dress by Angela Kelly, who has served as personal assistant and senior dresser to her since 2002.
The UK inflation rate as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) fell to 1.6% in March from 1.7% in February, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is the third consecutive month inflation has been below the Bank of England's 2% target rate, and the lowest rate since October 2009.
British Ambassador to Chile, Mrs. Fiona Clouder, held a reception to mark the official launch of the Manchester University alumni society in Chile. Fifty Manchester graduates joined the event in the Ambassador’s residence from many different academic and professional disciplines.
Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo met with top officials from Malta this week during a two day visit focused on building links with the island state. The officials included Foreign affairs minister George Vella, Speaker of the Maltese Parliament Angelu Farrugia and Financial Services and Gaming Minister Albert Isola.
Queen Elizabeth II welcomed the Irish president to Britain on Tuesday for the first time since the republic became independent with a banquet also controversially attended by former IRA commander Martin Guinness.
UK Ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley has told a Spanish newspaper that British people hold Gibraltar ‘close to their hearts’ and that delays at the border are politically motivated. He underscored Britain and Gibraltar’s desire to engage in “practical” dialogue toward better cross-border relations that would benefit communities on either side of the frontier fence.
Finance minister Guido Mantega and Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne announced on Tuesday in Sao Paulo the launching of the Brazil/UK Economic and Financial Dialogue to strengthen bilateral trade and cooperation, and investment in infrastrucutre, according to a joint release.
Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne welcomed the decision by insurer Hiscox to join the Lloyd’s Brazil reinsurance platform during his current trip to Brazil. This will allow Hiscox to grow its Brazilian business, enabling it to talk directly to potential customers and better understand the local market.
At the start of a three day trade trip to Brazil, the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne announced the next stage in the UK government’s fundamental overhaul of finance for exporters which should move the UK to the top of the global league for export support.
UK Minister for Europe David Lidington, said the British Government would have no objection “in principle” to Gibraltar integrating further into the EU than Britain. He was reacting to recent comments by Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, who said Gibraltar may in future want “more Europe, not less Europe, than the United Kingdom.”