Palma.The British Ambassador to Spain, Giles Paxman, will be presiding over a reception at the Balearic Parliament on Friday evening to mark the retirement of Vice Consul Esteban Mas, MBE. Other officials from the Foreign Office, including British Consul Paul Abrey, will also be attending.
He was awarded an honorary MBE about ten years ago for his services to the British community in Majorca.
During his 41 eventful years at the Consulate he has been involved in many high profile visits and cases. He helped co-ordinate the visit of Queen Elizabeth to the Balearics in 1988. When the Prince and Princess of Wales holidayed in Majorca in 1987 and 1988 Esteban was on hand to help organise the visit.
But his work for the Foreign Office just didn't stop in Majorca. Earlier this year he was in Malta to help with the repatriation of British nationals from Libya. He will be sadly missed at the British Consulate. Estaban is on a first name basis with many members of the British community and is also well respected by the local civil and military authorities.