King Felipe of Spain has been accused of ignoring Gibraltar's right to determine its own future in his address to parliament during his state visit to the UK.
The monarch told MPs and peers that the "two governments" of Spain and the UK would find a solution to the territory's future that is "acceptable to all involved".
He added that both sides should seek "dialogue" over the dispute.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
His words provoked an angry response from Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, who said Felipe was "seeking to ignore" the sovereignty of the Rock.
"What the King has said really harks back to a time when the governments in Madrid and London might make decisions over the heads of the people of Gibraltar," he told Sky News.
The territory's status was "not up for discussion or negotiation", he added.
Picardo also said the King’s comments suggested he was treating Gibraltar as something that could be "traded from one monarch to another", like a "pawn in a chess game, reports the Gibraltar Chronicle.
Tory MPs had threatened to walk out during the monarch's speech if Felipe claimed Spanish sovereignty over Gibraltar, the Daily Telegraph reports.
While no explicit claim was made, Conservative politician Andrew Rosindell called Felipe's comments "inappropriate" and said the diplomatic status of Gibraltar was "none of his business."
Prime Minister Theresa May has insisted Gibraltar's future will not be part of the Brexit discussions.
-
6 well-crafted log homesFeature Featuring a floor-to-ceiling rock fireplace in Montana and a Tulikivi stove in New York
-
‘The nonviolence resulted from the organizers’ message’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
NY attorney general asks public for ICE raid footageSpeed Read Rep. Dan Goldman claims ICE wrongly detained four US citizens in the Canal Street raid and held them for a whole day without charges
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Israel and the Gaza flotillaThe Explainer Activists fear loss of life after blaming Israel for drone attacks on ships
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
Rise of the far-right: what’s behind the popularity of Vox in Spain?The Explainer Disillusioned younger voters are being drawn to Santiago Abascal’s party
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
