Royal Watch News

Queen Elizabeth image projected onto Rock of Gibraltar

Jun 13, 2012, 12:01 GMT

Queen Elizabeth

A huge image of Britain's Queen Elizabeth has been projected onto the Rock of Gibraltar.

Images of the monarch - who is celebrating 60 years on the throne - were interspersed with pictures of the British Union Jack flag last night (12.06.12) as part of the Earl and Countess of Wessex's three-day visit to the peninsula.

The light show was clearly visible across the border in Spain, where Prince Edward and Sophie's visit to Gibraltar - a UK territory that Spain also claims - has been heavily criticised by the country's government.

The last-minute decision to put on the display came a day after Gibraltar's Chief Minister claimed Gibraltar residents feel 'under attack from Spain'.

He told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: 'We value our Britishness above all else.

'We will not let Spain dictate when our sovereign or her representatives can visit. She is the Queen of Gibraltar and we are very proud of that fact.'

Despite the controversy surrounding the earl and countess' visit - which last month saw Spain tell the UK they were 'upset and comfortable' about the trip - the royal couple received a warm welcome on Monday (11.06.12) as they were greeted by thousands of people lining the streets of the peninsula.

Last month, the Spanish government also banned Queen Sofia from attending the queen's Diamond Jubilee lunch at Windsor Castle as the UK and Spain have been in disagreement over fishing rights in Gibraltar.