Britain granted Gibraltar “city” status on Monday in what outgoing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said was a “great recognition” of the colony’s “rich history”.
Earlier this year, the colony’s officials requested official recognition of Gibraltar as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, her 70th year on the throne.
Investigators found through the National Archives that Gibraltar had already been designated a city in 1842 during the reign of Queen Victoria, although this fact was omitted for unknown reasons.
According to outgoing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the territory is now reasserting its status – a “huge recognition” of Gibraltar’s “rich history”.
During Elizabeth II’s recent Platinum Jubilee celebrations, 39 localities formally applied for city status, with Doncaster, Bangor and Dunfermline among the other regions to achieve it.
Gibraltar is now one of five recognized territories outside the United Kingdom, along with Hamilton (Bermuda), Jamestown (St Helena), Douglas (Isle of Man) and Stanley (Falklands).
City status is associated with a cathedral, a university or a large number of residents, although there are no official rules for granting it, and it is granted by the Queen on the advice of the government.
There are no financial benefits to becoming a city, although it is a boost for local communities, the BBC reports.
Gibraltar has been part of the United Kingdom since the Treaty of Utrecht was signed in 1713.
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