Queen Elizabeth II and Malta
A Queen born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, known as Elizabeth II, ruled the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland between February 6, 1952, and September 8, 2022. Aside from that, she served as the Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, and Queen of the rest of her realms and territories. She died at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and was born in London, England, on April 21, 1926. Her reign surpassed Victoria’s in 2015 to become the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
Elizabeth II became the head of state and Queen of Malta after Malta gained independence from the United Kingdom on September 21, 1964.
In Malta, where did Queen Elizabeth stay? Princess Elizabeth lived on the island during her husband’s service with the Navy in Malta from 1949 to 1951 at 23. The newlyweds could have a reasonably typical existence while residing in an 18th-century mansion outside Valletta. Queen Elizabeth I was reportedly allowed to roam the streets and visit shops freely during this period.
Philip’s uncle, Lord Mountbatten, owned Villa Guardamangia (A Palace fit for a Queen), where Queen Elizabeth II spent her happiest years. The Duke was stationed there as a naval officer and was named second-in-command of HMS Chequers, which operated with the Mediterranean fleet from Malta. The home is designed in superb vernacular and neoclassical styles and has stunning views of Marsaxxmett Harbour and the sea beyond. The building dates back to the 18th century, and it is surrounded by private gardens and a roof terrace where numerous official portraits of the couple were taken. One day, it is hoped that this once magnificent monument will be restored, as it was an essential site for the Queen and her husband.
The Queen’s Maltese property, where she lived for three years and was featured in Netflix’s The Crown. The Queen’s three-year-long residence in Malta has been purchased following its appearance in the Netflix series. She and her husband, Prince Phillip, lived in Valletta for two years while Phillip served in the Royal Navy.
Why did the Queen decide to leave Malta? When her father, King George VI, died in 1952, she and Prince Philip were forced to leave Malta, with the Prince’s retirement from the Navy becoming a source of dispute for many years. Elizabeth, now Queen, would return to Malta on May 3, 1954.
The following time Queen Elizabeth II went to Malta, it was on her maiden Commonwealth tour as a newly-crowned monarch. The trip, which lasted over six months and is still the most extended royal tour in history, was coming close at the time. You can only imagine how delighted the Queen would have been to see her kids again. Prince Charles and Princess Anne travelled overseas for the first time when they accompanied their parents on the concluding leg of the Commonwealth tour in Valletta.
“Visiting Malta is always very special for me,” Queen Elizabeth said at the Commonwealth meeting in Malta in 2015, her final trip to Malta.
