Steeped in history, heritage, and culture, and with unique links to the British Monarchy, Malta is the largest island of an archipelago in the centre of the Mediterranean that form the eponymous independent country.
The former British colony gained independence in 1964 and became a republic in 1974; but maintains strong links with the United Kingdom and the British Royal Family. In 1942, King George VI awarded the George Cross to Malta for the people’s “bravery and heroism” during the siege of Malta in the second World War.
Malta is famous for its beautiful architecture, scenic cliffs, breath-taking coastline and dive sites. The island nation has a long and fascinating cultural heritage reflected in its UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the ancient city of Valletta, the Megalithic Temples of Malta, and the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum.
Known as the islands natural harbour and popular marina destination, Camper & Nicholsons Grand Harbour Marina offers safe and secure berthing for some of the world’s largest superyachts from 10M-100M throughout the year. The island’s central Mediterranean location, convenient flight links to Europe and the UK, and beautiful cruising routes around the archipelago, is why it is a chosen destination to visit in the Mediterranean. From your home berth, you can moor alongside the historic Fort right in the centre of Valletta and absorb the historic culture and heritage of the island.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip lived on the island of Malta and would frequent to Grand Harbour during the time that Prince Philip was serving on board HMS Magpie. The young couple enjoyed a relatively normal life, with Malta being the only place outside the UK that they have ever called ‘home’.
18th-century Villa Guardamangia, on the edge of the capital Valletta, was ‘home’ to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip between 1949 and 1951. It is said to have been one of the happiest periods of the young families’ lives and where Queen Elizabeth was known to have enjoyed shopping, visits to Gozo and water-skiing.
King Charles is known to have spent a significant portion of his childhood-holidays in Malta, who would visit often with his sister Princess Anne, and where they would enjoy visiting the historic sights and walking the cobbled streets of Valletta.
In 1968, the Malta Polo Club hosted a young King Charles who would take a break from royal duties and play polo with Maltese polo players and their relatives. King Charles played in a tournament to celebrate the Malta Polo Clubs centenary and according to the official programmes printed for the event, the prince played on the San Anton team wearing white alongside Sam Borg, Anthony Cassar (known as Captain Cassar) and Salvu Darmanin, a celebrated player who still holds the national record for the highest goal handicap.
More recently, the then Prince Charles with Queen Elizabeth, visited the islands in 2015 where he spoke about the importance of a sustainable future at the Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting. Two years later he returned in 2017 to attend the 75th Anniversary Commemoration of the awarding of the George Cross, along with featuring as a keynote speaker at the Our Ocean Conference and safely releasing a turtle back to habitat at Golden Bay.
From looking through some of the old archives, there is evidence of Royal history and connection on the pontoons and Quay of Grand Harbour Marina. Happy Coronation to the King!
To be a part of history, and book a berth at Grand Harbour Marina, click here.
*Pictures from The British Monarchy and https://theroyalhistory.tumblr.com/search/malta