Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning UK monarch, had a very special connection with the island of Malta, visiting a total of six times throughout her life.
Becoming Queen on February 6th 1952 following the death of her father King George VI, she went on to hold the throne for 70 years. Malta also happens to be the only place outside of the UK the Queen called home.
Her bond with the Mediterranean island however began well before she was head of the Commonwealth. She lived the early years of her marriage to Prince Philip on the island between 1949 and 1951. Her husband was stationed here as a naval officer and died last year at the age of 99.
The couple flew to Malta as part of their Commonwealth world tour in May of 1954 and again inn 1967 when Malta was an independent state.
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The second time around was Queen Elizabeth’s second state visit as the monarch, marking the first time independent Malta welcomed the queen.
During a Christmas broadcast, Elizabeth made reference to Malta and her trip there, referring to the transition from a colony to independence.
“This is the opening of a new and challenging chapter for the people of Malta and they are entering it with determination and enthusiasm.”
She went on to visit in 1992, visiting San Anton Gardens and inspecting the ceremonial spade which has been used since 1901. She did not visit until anther 13 years, flying to Malta in 2005 and then 2007 when Eddie Fenech Adami was president of Malta.
Her last visit to Malta came in 2015, when Marie Louise Coleiro Preca was president. She was 89 years old this time around, travelling with Prince Philip.
