Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh Unveil Submariners’ Tribute and Tour Former Royal Residence Villa Guardamangia

As part of their four-day royal visit to Malta, commemorating the island’s momentous 60th independence anniversary, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, visited five Heritage Malta sites.

The visit, which underlines the sustained strong relationship between Malta and the United Kingdom following 164 years of British colonial rule, started on Monday with the welcoming of the royal couple by the President of Malta, H.E. Myriam Spiteri Debono, and her husband at the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta.

The Duke and Duchess visited sites dedicated to Malta’s role in the Second World War, including Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum, in Valletta on Tuesday, where they inaugurated a ‘Submariners’ Walkway’. This new memorial walkway pays tribute to the submariners who lost their lives off Malta or while serving from the island during the war. It features monuments for HMS Urge, HMS Olympus, and HMS Upholder and a marble plaque with the complete list of submarines that were lost. Overlooking Malta’s Grand Harbour, the space provides a serene and fitting setting for visitors and families of the fallen to reflect on the ultimate sacrifices made. The presence of some family members as well as former crew members of the second Upholder gave added significance to the occasion.

Following the inauguration, the Royals were given a private viewing of the George Cross in the Orderly’s Room at Fort St Elmo, underscoring the significance of the honour awarded to the people of Malta in 1942 by King George VI for their bravery during the siege of the island. A commemoration at sea just outside the Grand Harbour wrapped up the occasion. The Duke and Duchess and other dignitaries laid wreaths to commemorate those who lost their lives within Malta’s territorial waters in both world wars. Besides wreaths for the three main services – the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy, and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary – a wreath was also laid in memory of the Maltese who served and lost their lives. The visit continued with a tour of the Malta Maritime Museum in Birgu and later at MUŻA, Malta’s National Community Art Museum in Valletta.

On Wednesday, the Royal Couple visited Villa Guardamangia, a site of personal and historical importance as it was home to Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh during their time in Malta between 1949 and 1951. The villa is currently undergoing an extensive restoration project, for which a €10.2 million grant through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) has just been announced. The first phase of the project addresses structural and restoration work, and the second phase will focus on interior finishes and creating an engaging visitor experience. Once restored, the first floor will be historically reconstructed as it was when the royal couple resided in it, highlighting their human experience of Malta.

Noel Zammit, CEO of Heritage Malta, commented on the occasion:

“This royal visit to our heritage sites underlines the deep and enduring connection between Malta and the United Kingdom and brings into focus the shared history between our nations. Heritage Malta is deeply committed to preserving this legacy and ensuring that future generations can appreciate its historical and cultural significance.”