Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh to visit Malta to mark 60-year milestone since gaining its independence

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward and Sophie will be paying Malta a visit to celebrate 60 years since it was declared independent.

The announcement was made by the Government of Malta through its social media profile on X, noting that the royal couple will be on the islands between 7th and 10th October.

@MaltaGov & @UKinMalta are delighted to announce that Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will visit Malta from 7-10 October 2024 to mark the 60th anniversary of 🇲🇹’s independence.

— Government of Malta 🇲🇹 (@MaltaGov) September 2, 2024

Prince Edward, the youngest of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s children, was named Duke of Edinburgh, a significant title within the crown, after King Charles’ coronation.

Over the past few months, the Prince has been carrying out more royal duties stepping up for his older brother in his absence. In February, Buckingham Palace announced that the King had been diagnosed with cancer.

Now, Prince Edward, accompanied by his wife, will be visiting the island to mark the anniversary of the end of the British rule.

Every year, on 21st September, Malta commemorates the day it officially gained independence from the United Kingdom, with this year’s celebration marking a significant milestone.

Malta was Britain’s prized possession, especially during the war period given its strategic position in the Mediterranean. Over the years, Malta experienced various rulers, including the French, and after the war, following Malta’s efforts, it had finally been granted independence.

Later, Malta became part of the Commonwealth, an association of 56 countries that were once part of the British Empire. The Commonwealth countries collectively represent about one-third of the world’s population, approximately 2.5 billion people.