The UK Government will today (Monday 29 August) re-affirm the
city status of Gibraltar, as granted by Queen
Victoria, confirming its special status in the Realms of Her
Majesty the Queen and the family of the United Kingdom, the Crown
Dependencies and Overseas Territories.
The Government has undertaken detailed research in the National
Archives and established that the City of Gibraltar was
granted city status by Queen Victoria in 1842 but was omitted
from the list of recognised cities. A newly-published record
of 81 recognised cities confirms its place among
the official list.
This status is testament to the close relationship between
Gibraltar and the United Kingdom, 99% of Gibraltarians reaffirmed
their commitment to British sovereignty in a referendum of 2002.
Prime Minister said:
It is excellent to see official recognition given to the City of
Gibraltar, a huge accolade to its rich history and dynamism.
This official recognition re-affirms Gibraltar’s
special status in the Realms of Her Majesty, and rightly
signifies the pride that Gibraltarians feel for their community
and their distinctive heritage.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said:
The cities in this list are incredibly rich with history and
culture, and the local people of those areas are rightly very
proud to see their city’s significance put to paper.
I’m hopeful people based in these places, particularly the new
cities, can reap the benefits of their home’s increased global
standing and that it will attract more inward investment for
local businesses.
In the year of the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II,
the updated list is being published following the award of
eight new grants of city status earlier this year and the award
to Southend-on-Sea in honour of MP.
The full list of recognised cities from the Overseas Territories
include Hamilton (Bermuda), Jamestown (Saint Helena) and Stanley
(Falkland Islands) which was awarded the status as part of the
Platinum Jubilee competition.
The publication will also highlight those cities which have
received the honour of Lord Mayoralty or Lord Provostship.
Notes to editors
Gibraltar has been British in perpetuity under the Treaty of
Utrecht of 1713. When the City of Gibraltar was awarded city
status in 1842, it was awarded under Diocesan Letters Patent and
not under the normal City Status Letters Patent. Therefore
the City of Gibraltar never ended up on the Home Office’s
official list of recognised cities.
The UK Government would like to thank Bluemantle Pursuivant for
his assistance in bring this matter to its attention.
