The image of the British monarch alongside a Union Jack measuring at least 100 yards across were clearly visible across the border in Spain where the controversial Royal visit to the tiny Oversees British Territory has led to official complaints from the Spanish government, The Telegraph reported.

In what was viewed by many as a clear act of provocation to Spanish sentiments, the north face of the vast rock, which is visible for miles across the South coast of Spain, was lit up for several hours Tuesday night with the patriotic images.

Crowds of Gibraltarian's gathered at the foot of the tiny colony's emblematic cliff face from around 10.30 when the lights were turned on as a brass band struck up "Rule Britannia".


The music was clearly audible across the barbed-wire border in La Linea where a handful of Spaniards had turned out to watch the spectacle.
 

One man viewing from Playa de Levante was draped in the Spanish national flag. Antonio Jimenez, 40, said: "It's an act of provocation. It's a political act, a conflict which serves no purpose for the people who live either side of the border."
 

Another wearing a shirt of Spain's national football team screamed "Gibraltar Español" as the image of the Queen appeared on the face of the Rock.

Back in Gibraltar residents were thrilled at the light show. "I think it's glorious," said Salvador Baldacchimo, 74, looking up at the image. "It should be there all the time, only bigger."
 

Nodding his head towards Spain he added: "And I don't care a jot what they think over there. I bet they are already punishing us for it at the border."

The last minute decision to include the light show in the schedule of the three-day Royal visit came a day after Gibraltar’s Chief Minister declared that residents on the Rock feel “under attack from Spain”.
 

The visit by the Queen’s youngest son and his wife Sophie Rhys-Jones has been met with an outpouring of patriotism on the 2.6 square mile territory home to 28,000 people. The couple have been greeted by flag waving and applause during their busy schedule touring the territory.


But the Spanish government made an official complaint over the visit expressing its “upset and concern” and later saying it came at an “inopportune moment”. It also banned Queen Sofia from attending a Diamond Jubilee lunch at Windsor Castle in protest.

Spain still claims sovereignty over the peninsula which was ceded to Britain under the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht.
 

The visit comes amid an ongoing conflict on fishing rights in waters surrounding the Rock and rows over lengthy queues at the border imposed by Spanish authorities.
 

Social networks were buzzing with complaints over plans to project the Queen’s image on the Rock.
 

“A gigantic image of the Queen of England is to projected on the Rock. It’s the latest indignity and a show of contempt,” raged one Spaniard on a Facebook page called “Gibraltar, Español” which demands that the territory be returned to Spain.
 

“We need a strong response from the Spanish government in the face of this insult,” wrote another.