Palace Changing of the Guard resumed by AFM

The Armed Forces of Malta today resumed the Changing of the Guard ceremony which was suspended in March.

In a solemn ceremony on a frosty Valletta morning the AFM’s ceremonial guard marched down Republic Street before holding a brief parade in St George’s Square.

The guard was inspected by new home affairs minister Carmelo Abela before the soldiers in ceremonial uniform held a Changing of the Guard outside the Palace door.

The former home affairs minister Manuel Mallia who had told Parliament that the suspension was temporary and would be resumed once the AFM was in a position to guarantee higher standards following the suspension of the ceremony in March.

The ceremony dates back to the rule of the Order of St John, when the Grand Master’s personal guard was stationed outside the order’s palaces in the square which was then known as Piazza De La Guardia.