Free Republic

Gibraltar finally joined the official list of British cities on Monday (Aug 29), after 180 years in which its status, granted by Queen Victoria, had been overlooked due to an administrative error. The British overseas territory bid to become a city earlier this year as part of the celebrations for Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee, but research in the National Archives established it had in fact been granted city status in 1842. "It is excellent to see official recognition given to the City of Gibraltar, a huge accolade to its rich history and dynamism," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in...

The Queen has seen politicians come and go during her 70 years on the throne, however she has always made time to wine and dine US Presidents. During her reign there have been 14 US Presidents and the Queen has met all of them, bar one. Lyndon B. Johnson, who took over from John F. Kennedy after he was assassinated in 1963, is the only US head of state never to meet Her Majesty. And, despite being Princess Elizabeth in 1951 she still met the US President (Harry S. Truman) at the time while she was on a tour of...

The Queen has said she is "inspired" by the goodwill of the nation as celebrations for her Platinum Jubilee begin. In a Jubilee message, she thanked the public for organising events and said "many happy memories" would be made. Millions are gearing up for street parties to mark the monarch's 70 years on the throne over the four-day bank holiday weekend. A new official photograph of the Queen at Windsor Castle was also released. As well as community celebrations across the country, there are a series of official events, starting with Thursday's Trooping the Colour parade and ending on Sunday...