THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH VISIT MALTA
7th – 10th October 2024
Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will visit Malta from Monday 7th to Thursday 10th October to mark the 60th anniversary of Malta’s independence and celebrate the country’s shared heritage and continuing collaboration with the UK.
Arriving in Valetta, Their Royal Highnesses will meet the President of the Republic of Malta, Myriam Spiteri Debono, and later Prime Minister Dr Robert Abela.
On the first day, the Duke and Duchess will visit sites dedicated to Malta’s role in the Second World War, including a new monument dedicated to submariners. Together with the Armed Forces of Malta, Their Royal Highnesses will commemorate lives lost during the conflict by laying a wreath and posy out at sea. At the Malta Maritime Museum, Their Royal Highnesses will have the opportunity to hear from Armed Forces personnel and members of the Maltese-UK Veterans’ Association.
Later that afternoon, His Royal Highness, as chairman, will join young people participating in The Duke of Edinburgh International Award to formally open the organisation’s new headquarters in Malta and to discuss the positive impact of the award founded by Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh.
The following day will continue to explore past connections between the UK and Malta, as Their Royal Highnesses have the opportunity to tour Villa Guardamangia where, as Princess Elizabeth, the late Queen lived with Prince Philip, the then Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, between 1949 and 1951.
Afterwards, at the National Library, Their Royal Highnesses will view artefacts which document Malta’s changing relationship with the UK, including a letter signed by Queen Elizabeth II inaugurating the first parliament in 1964. The Duke and Duchess will also attend an ecumenical service at the Anglican Pro-Cathedral, an institution of which Prince Philip was patron.
Later, the Duchess of Edinburgh will lay a posy in memory of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Her Royal Highness, who is committed to drawing attention to the issue of violence against women and girls around the world, will attend a discussion with members of Malta’s Police Force and Human Rights Directorate about supporting victims of human-trafficking and gender-based violence.
On the final evening, the Duke and Duchess will attend The King’s Birthday Reception, hosted by the British High Commissioner, where Their Royal Highnesses will meet young people from across the country working towards a positive future for Malta’s next generation.
This is the first royal visit to Malta since that of the Duke of Kent in November 2018.