Thousands of Gibraltarians gathered today to mark National Day, a celebration of their British heritage and unique identity.
The annual event commemorates the 1967 referendum in which 99 per cent of voters chose to remain under British sovereignty, a sentiment that remains strong today.
Speaking to GB News, residents were clear about what the day represents as they "love flying the British flag."
One person said: "For us, National Day is to tell the world that we are British. We want to stay British and not Spanish, we just want the world to respect what we want to be."
It is National Day in Gibraltar and Britons are celebrating
|GB NEWS
Another added: “Being born and living in Gibraltar is fantastic. We’ve got great weather, English food, beer everything we need. We don’t need anything else."
Residents were also proud to fly both the Union Flag and the Gibraltar flag, stating that they are "not afraid" like people in the UK.
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One person told GB News: "We are not afraid of flying the Union Jack in the UK, they’re losing it.
"Here, we’re proud to be British. National Day is about showing that we are British Gibraltarians, and that will never change.”
The celebrations featured rallies, music, confetti cannons, and family barbecues, with locals coming together to celebrate their culture, community, and identity.
Many attendees brought their children to share in the tradition and pass on the pride of being Gibraltarian.
"National Day is about family, community, and identity,” said another resident.
“We are British, obviously, but we’re slightly different from the English. It’s about celebrating what makes us unique.”
The event also drew attention to the city’s strong British ties and loyalty to the Crown, with residents praising King Charles and reflecting on Gibraltar’s history under the late Queen Elizabeth.
Gibraltarian's flying the flag
|GB NEWS
A final person told The People's Channel: "We come every year for our national day. I brought my son out this year the first time so he can experience what what I experience every year.
"Gibraltar is our home. It's British and it's going to stay British.
"It's what represents us as British Gibraltarians. We're proud of what we are.
"We're proud of our British heritage. And nothing no one, not even the Labour government, are going to change that. It's as simple as that."
To mark National Day, Liberal Party Leader Joseph Garcia said Gibraltar has long surpassed the stage of being listed among the UN’s Non-Self-Governing Territories.
He argued that Gibraltar’s political, social, and economic progress demonstrates a clear case for decolonisation, stressing that its international legal status must adapt to today’s realities.
The Deputy Chief Minister underlined that the people’s right to self-determination is fundamental and will not be undermined by any future UK-EU treaty.
He described National Day as a moment to celebrate unity and identity.