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The Queen of travel

Queen Elizabeth II 1926 - 2022

Queen Elizabeth II leaves Fiji during a royal tour in February 1977. Serge Lemoine/Getty Images

The Queen of travel Journeys of a lifetime

By Francesca Street and Mark Oliver, CNN September 13, 2022

S he was traveling the moment she ascended to the throne, and for much of the next seven decades, Queen Elizabeth II criss-crossed the world. Newly married and still just a princess, Britain’s future monarch was in Kenya with husband Prince Philip in February 1952 when she learned of her father’s death and her new regal status.

During her reign she would visit more than 120 countries, witnessing first-hand the revolutions in global travel that shrank the world as her own influence over it diminished.

The Queen lived through the advent of the Jet Age, flew supersonic on the Concorde, saw regimes change, countries form and dissolve, the end of the British Empire and the rise of globalization.

Here are some of the most memorable travel moments from her 70 years as monarch.

November 24-25, 1953

Less than six months after she was crowned at Westminster Abbey in London, Queen Elizabeth set off on her travels again. Her debut official state trip was an epic six-month tour of the Commonwealth -- the alliance of nations which were once British colonies. Traveling by air, sea and land she visited several countries, accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. First stop was the North Atlantic island of Bermuda, a British territory she would visit a further four times during her reign. The trip would go on to include stops in Jamaica, Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, Cocos Islands, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Aden (now part of Yemen), Uganda, Malta and Gibraltar.

December 19-20, 1953

At Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in June 1953, Queen Salote Tupou III of the Polynesian kingdom of Tonga won over the British public when she sat, rain-soaked, in her open carriage. They also took an interest when Elizabeth returned the visit later in the year. The two queens enjoyed an open-air feast, watched Tongan dancers and admired a tortoise that legend said was presented by explorer Captain James Cook to the King of Tonga in 1777.

December 23, 1953 – January 30, 1954

New zealand.

The Queen voyaged to New Zealand during the Antipodean summer of 1953-4. Over the course of the trip, it’s estimated that three out of every four New Zealanders got a glimpse of her. In preparation for the Queen’s visit, some New Zealand sheep were dyed in the UK flag colors of red, white and blue. The Queen returned to the country nine times over the years, including in 2002 as she marked half a century on the throne.

April 10-21, 1954

Ceylon (now sri lanka).

A visit to Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, coincided with the Queen’s 28th birthday. She visited the city of Colombo where crowds joined together to sing her “Happy Birthday.” She also visited the central city of Kandy, where she watched a procession featuring a reported 140 elephants and met local chiefs.

April 8-11, 1957

The Queen had visited France as a young princess, but her first state visit as monarch was a glamorous affair. She attended the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris, visited the Palace of Versailles, and dined at the Louvre with then-President Rene Coty. The Queen also laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe and visited the Scottish Church of Paris.

October 17-20, 1957

United states.

Having met President Harry S. Truman in Washington in 1951 during a visit before ascending to the throne, Elizabeth was no stranger to America when she arrived on her first trip as Queen. Her 1957 visit marked the 350th anniversary of the first permanent British settlement on the continent, in Jamestown. The monarch attended a college football game at the former Byrd Stadium in Maryland where she watched the home team lose to North Carolina. She met with President Dwight D. Eisenhower in the White House and later traveled to New York, where she and Prince Philip drove through the streets and admired panoramic views of the city from the Empire State Building.

February 1-16, 1961

The Queen and Prince Philip visited Pakistan in 1961, arriving in the port city of Karachi after completing a visit to India as part of a wider tour of South Asia. She drove through the streets of Karachi in an open-top car, before going on to visit Lahore, where a torchlight military tattoo took place in her honor and Prince Philip played in a game of polo.

February 26 to March 1, 1961

In Nepal, the Queen inspected troops in Kathmandu and met Gurkha ex-servicemen in Pokhara. The monarch rode on an elephant and visited the Hanuman Dhoka Palace complex in Kathmandu. She took part in the rather grim spectacle of a tiger hunt although didn’t shoot any animals herself. She instead recorded the experience on cine camera – a recording device that she often carried with her on her earlier foreign trips.

March 2-6, 1961

The Queen visited pre-revolution Iran at the end of her 1961 South Asian tour. Hosted by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, she toured ancient monuments including the ruins of Persepolis, once a capital of the Achaemenid Empire, later declared a World Heritage Site. She also saw Sheikh Lotfollah mosque in Esfahan and admired collections of the Archaeological Museum of Iran.

May 5, 1961

Vatican city.

In 1961, Elizabeth became the first British monarch to visit the Vatican. Dressed all in black, the Queen had an audience with Pope John XXIII, also attended by Prince Philip. She returned to the Vatican three more times during her reign, meeting Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis.

November 9-20, 1961

Bombing incidents in the capital Accra left officials worried about the safety of the Queen’s visit to Ghana but, after deliberation, UK Prime Minister Harold Macmillan confirmed it would go ahead. During the trip, the Queen famously shared a dance with Ghana’s then-president, Kwame Nkrumah. At the height of Cold War uncertainty, this seemingly innocuous moment was seen as significant in ensuring Ghana remained affiliated to Britain and not the USSR.

May 18-28, 1965

West germany (now germany).

The Queen’s visit to West Germany and West Berlin was viewed as a symbolic gesture of goodwill in the post-World War II landscape. It was the first royal trip to German territory for more than 50 years and photographs such as one of the Queen and Prince Philip in a car driving past the Brandenburg Gate had symbolic resonance.

November 5-11, 1968

Queen Elizabeth became the first reigning British monarch to visit South America when she landed in Brazil in late 1968. During the trip, the Queen wore a striking jewelry set made of Brazilian aquamarine, gifted to her in 1953 by the Brazilian president and added to over time. The monarch also attended a football match between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, and presented the winner’s trophy to Brazilian footballer Pele.

October 18-25, 1971

On the first of two trips to Turkey -- the second took place in 2008 -- the Queen visited the Gallipoli peninsula to remember the Allied soldiers who died there during World War I. The monarch also explored the ruins of the ancient Greek empire city of Ephesus. A media highlight of the visit came when she was photographed leaping ashore from a barge, after disembarking from her ship, the Royal Yacht Britannia.

February 10-15, 1972

Accompanied by Prince Philip and daughter Princess Anne, the Queen was greeted on arrival in Bangkok by a carpet of flower petals. The monarch was given a golden key to the city of Bangkok, attended a state banquet and visited Bang Pa-In Palace, the Thai royal family’s summer residence, north of the capital.

October 17-21, 1972

The Queen’s visit to Yugoslavia was her first trip to a communist country. The Central European country no longer exists -- the areas that the Queen visited are now part of Croatia. During her trip, she met Yugoslav political leader Josip Broz Tito and traveled on his famous Blue Train.

February 15-16, 1974

New hebrides (now vanuatu).

The Queen and Prince Philip visited the Pacific island archipelago of Vanuatu, then known as the New Hebrides, in 1974. It’s said the royal couple’s visit to Vanuatu may have strengthened the belief among some locals on Tanna island that the Duke of Edinburgh was a divine being.

February 24-March 1, 1975

On her first of two visits to Mexico, the Queen toured ancient sites -- including the pyramids of Uxmal, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monarch also received local crafts, met school children and attended a banquet. While she was driven through Mexico City, the Queen was showered in confetti.

February 17-20, 1979

Saudi arabia.

In 1979, the Queen became the first female head of state to visit Saudi Arabia, on a tour of Gulf States. At Riyadh Airport, she was met by King Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, pictured. The outfits she wore on the trip were carefully designed in accordance with Saudi Arabia’s conservative dress code for women. The Queen arrived on a British Airways supersonic Concorde aircraft and during the visit attended camel races and toured the National Museum.

October 26-27, 1982

The Queen visited Tuvalu, a group of nine islands in the South Pacific, in 1982. Upon arrival, the Queen and Prince Philip were carried in a flower-filled canoe from sea to shore. Thirty years later, in 2012, Prince William visited Tuvalu with his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, who drank a coconut from a tree planted by Queen Elizabeth on this 1982 visit.

February 26 – March 6, 1983

On a star-studded trip to the United States, the Queen toured the 20th Century-Fox studios in Hollywood with then-First Lady Nancy Reagan and met Frank Sinatra, who she’d previously met in the 1950s, at a party given in her honor. The Queen and Prince Philip also visited Yosemite National Park in California, pictured.

November 10-14, 1983

The Queen returned to Kenya in 1983 for a state visit. When she was there 31 years previously, she'd learned that her father had passed away and she had become Britain’s reigning monarch. In 1983, the Queen and Prince Philip revisited the Treetops hotel, pictured, where they were staying at the time she was told the news.

October 12-18, 1986

The Queen’s trip to China was the first -- and, so far, only -- state visit by a British monarch to China. With Prince Philip by her side, the Queen visited the Great Wall of China, pictured, as well as the Forbidden City in Beijing.

October 17-20, 1994

In 1994, in another royal first, the Queen visited Russia. Over the three-day trip, the Queen met Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov, pictured here with the monarch outside St Basil’s Cathedral, as well as Russian President Boris Yeltsin. The Queen also attended the Bolshoi Ballet. In her traditional Christmas Day speech broadcast later that year, the Queen reflected on how times had changed, noting she “never thought it would be possible in [her] lifetime” to attend a service in Moscow’s famous cathedral.

March 19-25, 1995

South africa.

In 1994, after apartheid ended, South Africa rejoined the Commonwealth as a republic. The following year, the Queen traveled there, in a visit designed to renew ties between the two countries. The Queen met with President Nelson Mandela, pictured, and presented him with the Order of Merit.

October 12-18, 1997

The Queen visited India for the third time in 1997, her first public engagement since Princess Diana’s funeral just weeks before. The trip marked 50 years since India’s independence from Britain. Most memorably, the monarch visited the site of the Amritsar massacre, also known as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, of April 13, 1919. She also expressed regret at a state banquet in New Delhi for the “distressing” episode in which British soldiers gunned down hundreds of unarmed civilians. The gesture was seen by some as inadequate. “The Queen is doing everything she can to make India like her. But so far it does not seem to be working,” wrote the UK’s Independent newspaper at the time.

October 4-15, 2002

The Queen visited Canada many times. In 2002, her trip to the North American country coincided with her Golden Jubilee festivities, celebrating 50 years of her reign. During the trip, the Queen attended an ice hockey game between the Vancouver Canucks and the San Jose Sharks, and dropped the ceremonial puck.

March 11-16, 2006

The Queen visited Australia 16 times as Head of State. In 2006, she traveled to Melbourne to open the Commonwealth Games. She was greeted by a welcoming party in Canberra, visited the Sydney Opera House, attended a Commonwealth Day service in St. Andrew’s Cathedral and toured Admiralty House, the Sydney residence of the Governor-General of Australia.

May 17-20, 2011

The Queen’s trip to Dublin was the first time a British monarch had set foot in the Irish Republic since its 1922 independence. At Dublin Castle the Queen delivered a well-received speech on the history of Anglo-Irish relations. In County Tipperary, she also toured the medieval Rock of Cashel, pictured, once a seat of power for Ireland’s ancient kings.

November 26-28, 2015

From 1949 to 1951, before she was Queen, Elizabeth and Prince Philip lived in Malta. In 2015, the monarch paid her last visit to the island, touring the Grand Harbour in a Maltese fishing boat and waving to members of the British Royal Navy.

United Kingdom

In the later years of her reign, the Queen cut back on foreign travel, passing on the mantle to the younger royals. In more recent years, royal tours have also been looked at with more skeptical eyes, as Britain reckons with its colonial past.

While she didn't travel abroad in the later years of her reign, the Queen continued to vacation in the UK. Most notably, the Queen’s ties with Scotland remained strong throughout her reign and her residence there, Balmoral Castle, was a favorite refuge. It was at Balmoral that the Queen died on September 8, 2022.

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Gibraltar grieves for Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away this Thursday afternoon

As local people paid tributes to for her majesty, the chief minister and other government officials returned early to the rock from london and gibraltar's national day celebrations on saturday have been cancelled.

Debbie Bartlett

Thursday, 8 September 2022, 20:04

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Many people in Gibraltar shed a tear this Thursday evening as the news broke that Queen Elizabeth II had died. Her Majesty held a very special place in the hearts of the local population.

The statement from Buckingham Palace earlier in the day that the Queen's doctors were concerned about her health, and her family rushing to Balmoral Castle to be with her, came as a shock.

Gibraltar's chief minister Fabian Picardo, deputy chief minister Dr Joseph Garcia and attorney general Michael Llamas returned early to the Rock from London this afternoon, where they had been holding meetings relating to Gibraltar's future relationship with the European Union. They were due to return on Friday.

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BREAKING NEWS: Buckingham Palace announces that HRH Queen Elizabeth II has died

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The Gibraltar government issued a statement immediately after the announcement of Her Majesty's death. It read as follows:

"The Chief Minster, Fabian Picardo said: "It is with great sadness that the People of Gibraltar and His Majesty's Government of Gibraltar has received the news from Buckingham Palace of the death at Balmoral in Scotland of Her Majesty The Queen, Elizabeth The Second.

"The People of Gibraltar will mourn Her Majesty as a monarch who has reigned wisely and with incomparable dedication throughout the period of our post-war emergence as a part of the British family of nations.

"The People of Gibraltar and the Government proclaim their loyalty to the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and to His Majesty The King.

"I have written to His Majesty the King to offer the deepest condolences of the Government and the People of Gibraltar to all the members of our Royal Family at this sad time.

"May Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II rest in eternal peace and may the reign of His Majesty The King be long, peaceful and prosperous. Long live the King.

The following arrangements should also be noted:

Today, as soon as the announcement of Her Majesty’s death had been made at Buckingham Palace, Gibraltar lowered the flags of official buildings.

Together with the United Kingdom and the rest of the Overseas Territories, Gibraltar has entered a period of national mourning.

The traditional National Day events will therefore be cancelled. A further announcement will follow.

Flags will remain at half-mast until the day of the State Funeral and will be raised only temporarily for the Proclamation of the Accession of the new Sovereign.

Gibraltar will mark its respects to Her Majesty in a gun salute of 96 rounds, fired by the Royal Gibraltar Regiment from His Majesty’s Naval Base".

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Wessexes to make Royal summer visit to Gibraltar to mark Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

THE Earl of Wessex Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex are to visit Gibraltar in June to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year.

It has become somewhat of a tradition for the Rock to welcome the couple in a Jubilee year as they last visited in 2012 as part of Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The government of Gibraltar confirmed that the Royal visit would take place on June 7-9.

“Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar is delighted to welcome the announcement from Buckingham Palace in London and The Convent in Gibraltar that Their Royal Highnesses, The Earl and Countess of Wessex will be visiting Gibraltar in June of this year,” said a statement. 

The Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said: “The visit of the Earl and Countess will be a highlight for us in Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year and will be an opportunity for the People of Gibraltar to once again demonstrate our deep and unwavering affection for our Sovereign and the Royal Family as the embodiment of the British sovereignty of Gibraltar. 

“I know that all of Gibraltar will look forward to the visit and that we will welcome the Earl and Countess with open arms, as only Gibraltar and the Gibraltarians know how,” he added.

"You should be justly proud of your successes and achievements, recognised in their own right by this presentation of your Regimental Colours today." Today at Windsor Castle, The Earl of Wessex presented the @RoyalGIBRegt with new Regimental Colours. pic.twitter.com/MWpGd4pHF1 — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 31, 2022

The last outing the pair made to Gibraltar was somewhat controversial, with the Spanish authorities describing the visit as ‘unfortunate’ as it coincided with tensions over fishing waters.

It was for this very reason that Queen Sofia of Spain declined to attend an event in the UK to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee.

The latest visit is also likely to stir some controversy, with Brexit teething problems continuing to create friction between the UK and Spain.

While the Wessexes last visited ten years ago, the Queen herself has not set foot on the Rock  since 1954 when she toured with Prince Philip with their children Prince Charles and Princess Anne.

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Statement on the announcement of the death of Her Majesty The Queen, Elizabeth The Second - 659/2022

September 08, 2022

The Chief Minster, Fabian Picardo said: "It is with great sadness that the People of Gibraltar and His Majesty's Government of Gibraltar has received the news from Buckingham Palace of the death at Balmoral in Scotland of Her Majesty The Queen, Elizabeth The Second.

"The People of Gibraltar will mourn Her Majesty as a monarch who has reigned wisely and with incomparable dedication throughout the period of our post-war emergence as a part of the British family of nations.

"The People of Gibraltar and the Government proclaim their loyalty to the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and to His Majesty The King.

"I have written to His Majesty the King to offer the deepest condolences of the Government and the People of Gibraltar to all the members of our Royal Family at this sad time.

"May Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II rest in eternal peace and may the reign of His Majesty The King be long, peaceful and prosperous. Long live the King"

The following arrangements should also be noted:

Today, as soon as the announcement of Her Majesty’s death had been made at Buckingham Palace, Gibraltar lowered the flags of official buildings.

Together with the United Kingdom and the rest of the Overseas Territories, Gibraltar has entered a period of national mourning.

The traditional National Day events will therefore be cancelled. A further announcement will follow.

Flags will remain at half-mast until the day of the State Funeral and will be raised only temporarily for the Proclamation of the Accession of the new Sovereign.

Gibraltar will mark its respects to Her Majesty in a gun salute of 96 rounds, fired by the Royal Gibraltar Regiment from His Majesty’s Naval Base. 

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The Countess of Wessex continues fashion winning streak during Platinum Jubilee visit to Gibraltar

By Dora Davies-Evitt

The Earl and Countess of Wessex, 2022

Despite their busy weekend celebrating Her Majesty The Queen's 70 years on the throne, Prince Edward and his wife, the Countess of Wessex, are already back to their regular royal duties for their latest trip to Gibraltar. The couple were photographed looking happy and relaxed as they watched the Royal Gibraltar Regiment display its new colours for the Queen's birthday parade yesterday. 

For the first day of the couple's visit, Sophie looked elegantly chic in an off-white short-sleeved structured dress with a full pleated skirt, which she paired with beige heels, a loose bun and simple jewellery, as she greeted members of the public and admired the parade.  

The Countess of Wessex 

By Eilidh Hargreaves

By Anne McElvoy

By Rebecca Cope

The royal has been looking particularly elegant as of late, choosing some beautiful ensembles for the various festivities held in honour of Her Majesty's Jubilee over the weekend. For the Service of Thanksgiving in St Paul’s Cathedral on 3 June, the countess chose a beautiful rose-gold metallic dress by designer Suzannah with statement bell-shaped short sleeves and a bow to the back, which she teamed with a matching hat and pearl earrings. Her daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, also looked radiant in a similar colour palette to her mother, opting for a light pink headband and white satin Ghost dress. 

During the opening parade of Trooping the Colour, Sophie wore a chic checkered pink and white dress with a matching hat, as she sat beside Edward, who sported his impressive military attire. For the Jubilee concert on the Friday, the royal opted for a much more laid-back look as she donned a boho-style white Zara dress, which she paired with her wavy locks. 

Sophie, Countess of Wessex arrives at the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral, 2022 

The Earl and Countess of Wessex will remain in the British province until 9 June, where they will be visiting communities as well as exploring Gibraltar's culture and history and its links with the UK. The visit is expected to have a particular focus on promoting opportunities for young people and ensuring access to education.

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• UK/Spain News
• Opinion & Analysis

Prince Edward confirms Rock trip as he presents Royal Gibraltar Regiment with new colours

The Earl and Countess of Wessex will visit Gibraltar in June to see the Royal Gibraltar Regiment parade its new Regimental Colours on home soil.

Prince Edward, the Queen’s youngest child, confirmed the trip as he presented the colours at a ceremony in Windsor Castle on Thursday.

The colours had first been approved by the Queen.

“This is your Sovereign’s personal recognition of your professionalism, skill, courage and unique contribution to our nation’s defence,” Prince Edward told the assembled soldiers, dignitaries and guests, who included families and friends.

“On behalf of Her Majesty, I hand over these colours in the confidence that you will guard them well.”

“That they will be symbols of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment’s enduring spirit and devotion to duty.”

“That it will inspire you in the face of uncertainties.”

“That as an emblem of your achievements it will be an embodiment of your regiment’s traditions, heritage and ethos.”

“But most importantly, I give it into your care as a token of Her Majesty’s admiration and trust in each and every one of you and in the regiment in which you serve.”

Prince Edward said this was a proud moment for the regiment and for Gibraltar, describing it as “unique and memorable” for all involved.

It has been some 25 years since the regiment last had new colours and this is the first time the flag bears the prefix Royal, which was earned in 2009.

And as he presented the flag, Prince Edward reflecting on the soldiers’ role against the backdrop of international upheaval.

“With the backdrop of the horrendous events in Ukraine, the need for our defence forces and, in particular, the key role played by volunteers and reservists has been brought into sharp relief for many,” he said.

“Defence of the Rock has always been your priority, but your specialist skills means that you have been called upon to support the UK’s operations in many different theatres.”

“The Army in which we serve today may be technologically different to that of yesterday, it may have different capabilities, but it still depends entirely on the men and women who serve to make it work and to make it the best.”

Prince Edward last saw the regiment 10 years ago in Casemates for The Queen’s Birthday Parade, “and what an excellent parade that was”.

“That was also a Jubilee year and you also conducted public duties in London.”

“It’s good to see the Barbarians back and your distinctive pith helmets in this, Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.”

“You should be justly proud of your successes and achievements, recognised in their own right by this presentation of your Regimental Colours today.”

“My wife and I look forward to seeing them being carried on parade on your home soil in the not too distant future. Well done today and I wish you all every good fortune.”

The Royal visit will take place from June 7 to 9, the Office of the the Governor confirmed.

“The visit in Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year is a reminder of the unbreakable bond between the UK and Gibraltar," said the Governor, Vice Admiral Sir David Steel.

"I look forward to receiving Their Royal Highnesses. They will be warmly welcomed.”

Chief Minister Fabian Picardo echoed that message.

"The visit of the Earl and Countess will be a highlight for us in Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee year and will be an opportunity for the people of Gibraltar to once again demonstrate our deep and unwaivering affection for our sovereign and the Royal family as the embodiment of the British sovereignty of Gibraltar,” he said.

"I know that all of Gibraltar will look forward to the visit and that we will welcome the Earl and Countess with open arms, as only Gibraltar and the Gibraltarians know how.”

'UNIQUE EVENT'

Some 80 members of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment attended the colours event in Windsor Castle, with 64 of them taking part in the parade.

The regiment is currently conducting ceremonial public duties in London, the third time its has performed these high-profile duties.

The regiment took over from the Coldstream Guards at the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace on March 21 and have since been guarding The Tower of London, St James’ Palace and Windsor Castle.

Among the dignitaries at the colours ceremony were the Governor, Vice Admiral Sir David Steel, Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and the Commander British Forces, Commodore Steve Dainton.

“To receive new colours at Windsor Castle truly is an honour and will be such a memorable experience especially for the junior soldiers,” said the regiment’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Dyson.

“It is a real highlight in the regiment’s history.”

The old colours will be returned to Gibraltar and laid up in the King’s Chapel along with the regiment’s previous flags.

“So they remain sacred and important, but they are retired,” Lt Col Dyson added.

“New colours we get once every 20 or so years, so it is a unique event.”

He reflected too on the special importance for Gibraltar’s soldiers of mounting guard duties in London.

“For most of them it is a once in a lifetime opportunity and career experience and they have been making the most of it,” he said.

“It is unique and you do get pinch yourself moment standing on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, performing the ceremony of the keys in the Tower of London.”

“The soldiers I have spoken to have loved it.”

The regiment’s previous colours were on a white background and the new colours are on a blue background, which signifies the fact that the Gibraltar Regiment has become the Royal Gibraltar Regiment.

There is a very visible difference between the two.

The new colours will be on parade in public next week at the Queen’s Guard Mount at Buckingham Palace, when the flag will be marched on the forecourt.

Commodore Dainton said the occasion was “an exceptionally important and prestigious event”, and it was a personal privilege for him as CBF with overall responsibility for the regiment.

And amid the pomp and ceremony, he reflected on the vital operational role played by the soldiers under his command, and their contribution too to Gibraltarian society.

“Every day I see these young soldiers and officers out doing exceptional work in Gibraltar, not just the ceremonial aspects but I see them deliver operational effect every day,” he said.

“There are Royal Gibraltar Regiment soldiers embarked on navy ships doing sovereignty patrols around British Gibraltar Territorial Waters.”

“I see soldiers being ready to protect ships and submarines coming into Gibraltar harbour.”

“It’s not that long ago that they were building Nightingale Hospitals or delivering vaccines."

“So, Royal Gibraltar Regiment soldiers are absolutely in the fabric of our society in Gibraltar and it is a great privilege and a great honour for me to be the Commander anyway, but even more so with the presentation of the new colours.”

He noted that there will be an opportunity for the regiment to parade the colours on the Rock later this year, with early discussions on dates taking place at present.

“This opportunity is a really important one and one we must take,” he added.

He also told the Chronicle that the recent recruitment drive is buoyant and that the regiment is seeing a number of young recruits who will go through stringent tests to ensure they are up to the task.

“At the moment we are in a strong position as far as recruitment,” he said, adding that events such as the presentation of the colours will help recruit new soldiers.

“When they see this and they hear about this and they hear about the great honour and the privilege that the Royal Gibraltar Regiment soldiers are guarding the Queen and the other Royal palaces around London and the great privilege that comes with that - and not forgetting their day-to-day job - I think that is increasingly exciting and increasingly varied and that to me will be the thing that hopefully will entice more young boys and girls to join the Gibraltar Regiment and have a great fulfilling life.”

He reiterated the fact that the regiment wants to recruit the right people and it does not matter where they are from.

Should they come to Gibraltar from the UK, they are doing so because of the nature of the work the regiment does and the beautiful location where that work is carried out, he said.

“So for me it does not really matter where they are from,” Commodore Dainton said.

“Once they put their Royal Gibraltar Regiment uniform and they wear their Royal Gibraltar Regiment cap badge, then actually they are a Royal Gibraltar Regiment soldier regardless of where they are from.”

GOVERNMENT CONGRATULATIONS

Speaking after ceremony, Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said: "Today has been one of my proudest moments as Chief Minister and the whole of the Government, and the Cabinet in particular, express our most sincere congratulations to all current and former members of the regiment on this important day.”

"Seeing the regiment at Windsor, receiving their new, blue Royal colours was a quite magnificent moment.”

"The ceremony, carried out by His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex, was as symbolic as it was emotional.”

"The emotive words of the Earl evoked the depth of the loyalty of the people of Gibraltar and were reciprocated by the excellent response from the regiment's Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Dyson.”

"It was particularly poignant that the ceremony was taking place at Windsor, within earshot of Her Majesty The Queen herself, where she is in residence, with the Royal Standard consequently flying above Windsor Castle.”

"The nature of the colours ceremony and the mounting of the guard at Windsor and other Royal Palaces by the Regiment is a vivid, technicolour demonstration of the relationship between our sovereign and the British Crown and the regiment.”

"It is therefore also an indelible demonstration of the undeniably British sovereignty of Gibraltar which has once again been evidenced in this important moment in the history of the regiment.”

"I want to also thank the members of the Bermuda Regiment who have been joining their Gibraltarian colleagues in the ranks of the regiment on these ceremonial duties.”

“They too should be very proud of the work they have done in these deeply symbolic events that carry such meaning for our people.”

"Finally, I want to thank the families of the members of our regiment for coming out to London to support those on parade and for their constant, enduring backing for the work of the regiment.”

“I know they are a sine qua non for each and every member of the regiment at every rank.”

"The pride we feel today in the regiment will be in display in Gibraltar when we welcome 'the Barbarians' back home to the Rock with their new colours, something I know we will all be looking forward to."

EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of the article was updated to include the date of the Royal visit.

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