Queen Elizabeth says visiting Malta is ‘always special’

Queen Elizabeth the second has said that visiting Malta has always been a special pleasure to her.

Speaking at the end of a tour of the Heritage Malta premises in Kalkara, the 89-year-old Queen, who is one of Britain’s longest reigning monarchs, said that every visit reminded her of why Malta had been awarded the George Cross for valour in 1942.

“With each visit here I am reminded why Malta was awarded the George Cross in 1942 by my father, King George VI, for her valour – the first and only time it has been awarded to a country rather than an individual,” she said, adding that the visit to Heritage Malta, were she was shown a number of historical artefacts, had imbued in her a sense of certainty that Malta would continue to thrive over years to come.

Thanking the country and its people for being such obliging and pleasant hosts during her two-day state visit on occasion of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, she also spoke of the way she had seen the country progress over the years.

“Since my first experience of Malta in 1949 as a young woman, I have seen this country evolve into a strong nation which plays an important role on the world stage. When Prince Philip and I returned in November 2007 at the time of our Diamond Wedding Anniversary, we could not help but be impressed by the progress and the sense of optimism.”

The visit marks the monarch’s seventh official visit, with the latest visit being in 2007 on occasion of her 60th wedding anniversary to the Duke of Edinburgh. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip also lived in Malta between 1949 and 1951 when her husband was stationed here as a naval officer and Malta was still a British colony.

“I remember happy days here with Prince Philip when we were first married, and the wonderful official visits over the past sixty years,” she said.

Following her speech the Queen unveiled a commemorative plaque of her visit and received a gift from Heritage Malta chairman Joseph Buttigieg.

The Queen and the Duke also made a crossing to the Valletta Customs Wharf on a luzzu, where she was accompanied by Enviornment minister Leo Brincat, after being introduced to the Cottonera Mayors of Kalkara Birgu Cospicua and Senglea. The HMS Bulwark was moored at the Customes House, and where she was given a royal salute before proceeding to the Marsa Racecourse. 

Photo by Ray Attard

Photo by Ray Attard

Queen Elizabeth II planting a tree at San Anton gardens in memory of her visit this year

Earlier today the Queen planted a tree at San Anton gardens, next to the one she had planted during her last visit in 2007, after saying her goodbyes to the President of Malta Marie Louise Coleiro Preca.

 The Queen and the Duke will then be departing from Malta at 1.15pm.