The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, accompanied by the Minister for Arts, Culture, and Heritage, Owen Bonnici, visited a number of historical sites in Malta.

At the Maritime Museum in Birgu, where extensive restoration work has been carried out, the Duke and Duchess admired the beauty of the site.

At MUŻA, the National Museum of Art in Valletta, the royal couple viewed part of Malta’s national collection, which comprises over 15,000 works of art and artefacts.

In Fort St Elmo, Valletta, the Duke and Duchess toured the National War Museum, which houses notable artefacts such as the George Cross, awarded to Malta and its people. During this visit, the submarine passage was inaugurated. This passage, previously closed by Heritage Malta, commemorates the submarines based in Malta that were lost during the Second World War.

The couple also visited Villa Guardamangia, where Queen Elizabeth II resided between 1949 and 1951, before becoming Queen of the United Kingdom. The Duke of Edinburgh is the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

Another visit took place at the National Library in Valletta, which preserves the nation’s history through collections dating back hundreds of years, including the medieval period.

Minister Owen Bonnici expressed his appreciation for the royal couple’s visit to Malta and their interest in the nation's heritage. In a press release issued by the Ministry, he stated that the relationship between Malta and the United Kingdom has always been special and has grown stronger over the years. Dr Bonnici concluded by noting that Malta's independence did not mark the end of the friendship between the two countries but rather reinforced their mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty and the important roles both nations play in Europe and the Mediterranean.