Spain makes quiet protest over Princess Anne’s visit to Gibraltar

Princess Anne, the daughter of the Queen of England, started a three day visit to Gibraltar on Wednesday despite protests by the Spanish government. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Ángel Lossada, phoned the British embassy in Madrid on 16th January to express her opinion that the visit was «inappropriate» and could damage the feelings of Spanish citizens. A telephone call is the least forceful way of making a diplomatic complaint.

Yesterday Princess Anne opened a military clinic which is named after her. The clinic is located in an area whose sovereignty is under dispute because it was not included in the treaty of Utrecht.

Princess Anne was welcomed at Gibraltar airport on Wednesday with the playing of the national anthem. The prime minister of Gibraltar, Peter Caruana, was not there to meet her.