The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have sailed through the harbour in Malta before throwing a wreath and posy into the sea to commemorate British and Maltese lives lost during the Second World War.
On the second day of their trip to the island nation, Edward and Sophie boarded a military ship and sailed through Valletta harbour, where they were treated to dramatic views of the capital’s yellow limestone buildings.
Accompanied by the armed forces of Malta, the duke threw a wreath and the duchess a posy of flowers into the water before a gun salute sounded from one of the city’s high points.
Earlier in the morning, Edward and Sophie opened a new monument to submariners who lost their lives in the Second World War – the Submariners’ Walkway.
The duke unveiled a plaque and then untied a ribbon to open the walkway, prompting applause from a group gathered nearby which included descendants of the submariners who fought in the conflict.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh during a visit to the Maritime Museum in Birgu
Speaking to them, Edward said: ‘It’s great to have that recognition now of the service.’
Three British submarines were especially commemorated – HMS Olympus, HMS Urge and HMS Upholder – the first two of which sank off the coast of Malta in 1942.
The duke and duchess then visited the National War Museum, where they viewed a plaque marking the site where the late Queen Elizabeth II – then the Duchess of Edinburgh – ‘took the salute of the Mediterranean fleet before entering the harbour’ in 1950.
The late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was with the fleet as first lieutenant in HMS Chequers, according to the plaque.
Sophie touched the words ‘Duchess of Edinburgh’ on the stone, and said it was ‘very special’ to see.
After the boat journey, the duke and duchess walked to the Maritime Museum, saying hello to members of the public as they strolled past – many taking their phones out to snap photos and videos of the royal pair.
Once at the museum, Edward and Sophie spent a few moments on a balcony overlooking the harbour before entering a reception attended by armed forces personnel and members of the Maltese-UK Veterans’ Association.
The duke later opened a new headquarters for the Duke of Edinburgh International Award in Malta.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh onboard a patrol boat during a historical tour to view the key WWII sites in Grand Harbour, Valetta
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have sailed through the harbour in Malta before throwing a wreath and posy into the sea to commemorate British and Maltese lives lost during the Second World War
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh drop wreaths at the entrance to the Grand Harbour in Valetta on the second day of a royal tour of Malta
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh dropped a wreath and posy of flowers outside the entrance to Malta’s Grand Harbour during a tour of key Second World War sites
Sophie, 59, and Prince Edward, 60, are on a four-day visit to the island to mark the 60th anniversary of its independence and celebrate the country’s shared heritage and continuing collaboration with the UK
They were invited to lay a wreath and posy of flowers outside the entrance to the harbour in the capital, Valletta
Their four-day visit to Malta is a poignant trip for the pair considering the significance the country holds for the Royal Family . It’s where the late Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip enjoyed their years as young newlyweds
Sophie, 59, and Prince Edward, 60, are on a four-day visit to the island to mark the 60th anniversary of its independence and celebrate the country’s shared heritage and continuing collaboration with the UK.
The Duchess once again proved her fashion credentials as she joined Prince Edward as they kicked off day two of their visit to Malta.
Sophie looked effortlessly elegant in a billowing floral orange skirt, teamed with a white shirt blouse and cinched at the waist.
To complement her chic ensemble, the radiant mother-of-two opted for a bright apricot handbag to match her statement skirt and comfortable closed-toe sandals.
Adding a touch of glitz to her outfit, she sported golden hoop earrings and a dainty necklace featuring a pink gemstone.
Their four-day visit to Malta is a poignant trip for the pair considering the significance the country holds for the Royal Family. It’s where the late Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip enjoyed their years as young newlyweds.
Yesterday, the Duke and Duchess appeared in great spirits as they met with President Myriam Spiteri Debono and her husband Dr. Anthony Spiteri Debono at Grandmaster’s Palace in St George’s Square, Valletta.
Sophie looked stunning for the occasion, donning a floral white maxi print dress from Gabriela Hearst, complete with a flattering belt, thought to retail at £2,550.
Today, the Duke and Duchess (pictured) visited the National War Museum in Valetta
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh during a visit to officially open the Submariners’ Walkway in Valetta
The Duchess once again proved her fashion credentials as she joined Prince Edward as they kicked off day two of their visit to Malta
Sophie looked effortlessly elegant in a billowing floral orange skirt, teamed with a white shirt blouse and cinched at the waist
To complement her chic ensemble, the radiant mother-of-two opted for a bright apricot handbag to match her statement skirt and comfortable closed-toe sandals
Adding a touch of glitz to her outfit, she sported golden hoop earrings and a dainty necklace featuring a pink gemstone
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh at the Grand Harbour, Valetta, on the second day of a royal tour of Malta
Once at the museum, Edward and Sophie spent a few moments on a balcony overlooking the harbour before entering a reception attended by armed forces personnel and members of the Maltese-UK Veterans’ Association
She accessorised with a £475 Strathberry crescent shoulder bag in diamond and vanilla, adding glamour to the look.
The stylish Duchess added a pair of tan Jimmy Choo pumps to complete her ensemble, alongside dainty jewellery. Meanwhile Edward looked handsome in a smart navy suit, paired with a classic light blue shirt.
One of the highlights of the visit will be a trip on Wednesday to Villa Guardamangia – the former residence of the late Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, when they were a young married couple.
They lived there between 1949 and 1951 while the prince was stationed in Malta as a serving Royal Navy officer, and they returned to the villa to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in 2007.
Cathy Ward, the UK High Commissioner to Malta, wrote on social media: ‘Delighted to welcome TRHs The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh to#Malta!
‘This visit underscores the deep bilateral ties & shared connection between our two nations. Looking forward to helping build the next chapter of friendship & cooperation.’
Later, the couple headed to Auberge de Castille to meet Prime Minister Robert Abela and his wife, Lydia Abela, before attending a reception at the residence of the British High Commissioner.
On Wednesday, after their visit to Villa Guardamangia to hear about restoration work taking place, Edward and will view artefacts linked to UK-Malta relations, including a letter from the late Queen inaugurating the island’s first parliament.
The duchess will go on to take part in a panel discussion with the Malta Police Force about how to improve its approach to supporting victims of gender-based violence and human trafficking.
The Duke wore a themed tie with the Duke of Edinburgh International Award logo embellished on it
The Duke appeared interested in what was being said to him as he visited the Duke of Edinburgh International Award headquarters in Malta
The Duke of Edinburgh meets young people taking part in The Duke of Edinburgh International Award activities at their new Malta headquarters
The Duke appeared deep in concentration as he toured the new headquarters in Malta during his four-day visit
The Duke of Edinburgh meets young people taking part in The Duke of Edinburgh International Award activities at their new Malta headquarters
The duke later opened a new headquarters for the Duke of Edinburgh International Award in Malta
She will also lay a posy in memory of murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was killed by a car bomb in 2017 while investigating suspected corruption among high-level political and business circles in the Mediterranean nation.
The duke and duchess will also attend the King’s Birthday Reception, hosted by the British High Commissioner, and meet young people from across the country.
King Charles, then Prince of Wales, first visited Malta in 1969 and visited again in 2015 with Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and Camilla to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Valetta.
The King’s most recent visit to Malta was in 2017 to mark the 75th anniversary of the island being awarded the George Cross.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh last visited Malta together in November 2012, as the Earl and Countess of Wessex, with Sophie returning to Malta in 2018.
