Minorca celebrates the end of British rule

The clock was turned back 200 years in Minorca yesterday, as the island commemorated the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Amiens, under which Britain returned the island to Spanish rule. The Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment and the Spanish Army's Soria 9 Regiment, wearing period uniforms, took part in the celebration, which was staged at the fortress of La Mola in Mahon. The ceremony was presided by Admiral in Chief Antonio Gonzalez-Aller Suevos, representing King Juan Carlos, the environment minister jaume Matas and the leading island and regional authorities. The Palma 47 regiment and the Cartagena 73 regiments also took part. The colonel of the British regiment handed over a parchment and keys as the symbol of command to his Spanish counterpart. There will be a military parade at the Explanade of Es Castell at noon today.