National Post (National Edition)
QUEEN WELCOMES SPAIN’S ROYALS AMID GIBRALTAR TENSIONS
LONDON Queen Elizabeth and her husband led an extravagant ceremony to welcome the king and queen of Spain, who began a state visit Wednesday amid tensions between the two nations over Britain’s exit from the European Union.
The three-day visit by King Felipe VI and his wife, Queen Letizia, came amid a brewing dispute about what Brexit means for the future of Gibraltar, a tiny, rocky territory at the tip of the Iberian peninsula that Britain has controlled for three centuries against Spain’s wishes.
The two countries are also trying to resolve the status of thousands of expatriates facing uncertainty over their rights once Britain leaves the EU.
Yet there was no sign of discord as the Spanish royals arrived at Buckingham Palace, with Britain treating them to the full pomp and pageantry traditionally rolled out for visiting heads of state.
Later, addressing both Houses of Parliament, Felipe said Spain was saddened by Britain’s decision to leave the EU but respects it.
He urged the two governments to guarantee citizens’ rights after Britain’s withdrawal — a key sticking point in Brexit talks.
“Those citizens have a legitimate expectation of decent and stable living conditions for themselves and their families,” he said.
Emphasizing the strong historical ties between the two nations, the king also expressed confidence that they could overcome their differences over Gibraltar.