Queen ‘pleased’ to have two senior royals represent her in Gibraltar after ‘precautionary’ delays

The Queen’s Birthday Parade will be held in Grand Casemates Square in Gibraltar just days after her Platinum Jubilee weekend…

Queen 'pleased' that Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex are representing her in Gibraltar, seen here during the Platinum Jubilee
(Image credit: Photo by Hannah McKay - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The Queen is “pleased” to have two senior royals representing her at her Birthday Parade in Gibraltar after they were delayed following a “precaution”.  


Whilst the Queen has been undertaking fewer engagements in person in recent months, fans have seen many members of the extended Royal Family stepping up even more to support her. This is all the more important in such a huge year, with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend having just ended. Now the official Royal Family social media accounts have shared sweet photos as the Earl and Countess of Wessex arrived in Gibraltar, where they will attend the Queen’s Birthday Parade and mark her milestone. 

The couple were also pictured visiting ‘the Rock’ and they were set to celebrate the jubilee with local residents. During their time in Gibraltar, the caption explained that they will also “recognize its communities, culture and history, as well as its links with the UK”. 

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Although not there in person, the Queen sent a heartfelt message to mark this significant occasion and expressed her gratitude for Gibraltar’s “allegiance and loyalty”. Reflecting on how the youngest of the Queen’s children and his wife Sophie are there in her stead, Her Majesty described herself as “pleased” to see her close family represent her. 

“In my Platinum Jubilee year, I am delighted that my son and daughter-in-law have the opportunity to visit Gibraltar again, and I am pleased that they will represent me at my Birthday Parade in Casements Square,” Britain’s longest reigning monarch declared. 

It was revealed that they will take the salute of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, who were presented with new colors by Prince Edward at Windsor Castle earlier this year. 

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And it seems the Queen has spoken for many fans as she expressed her pride that the Wessexes were stepping up to undertake this deeply meaningful visit.

Many fans were quick to praise Prince Edward and Sophie, with one describing them simply as, “A super couple. ❤️”.

Another agreed, commenting, “They are an amazing couple and such a blessing to the RF. ❤️”

“They are doing an amazing job representing the Queen!” someone else shared.

“❤️ It's great to see real working Royals, but your are so normal and human!” a fourth person replied. 

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, travel in a horse-drawn carriage during Trooping The Colour

(Image credit: Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage via Getty)

Prince Edward and Sophie are clearly highly appreciated by not only the Queen but by royal fans. Though their arrival in Gibraltar came a little later than planned, with Sky News reporting that Buckingham Palace had shared that their plane was "diverted" due to a “technical issue”.

"The Earl and Countess of Wessex's arrival in Gibraltar has been delayed slightly, after their flight was diverted safely back to the UK due to a technical issue,” they reportedly declared. 

Whilst BA supposedly explained, "Our pilots decided to return to Heathrow as a precaution due to a minor technical issue, and the aircraft landed normally."

Now, however, Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex have landed in Gibraltar and are set to attend the Queen’s Birthday Parade on June 9. 

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!