Monarchy of Malta

Monarchy of Malta

Coat of Arms of Malta

Queen Elizabeth II of Malta
Details
Style Her Majesty
First monarch Queen Elizabeth II
Last monarch Queen Elizabeth II
Formation 21 September 1964
Abolition 13 December 1974
Residence United Kingdom United Kingdom
Buckingham Palace
State of Malta Malta
San Anton Palace
Appointer Hereditary

The Monarchy of Malta (the Maltese monarchy) was the system of government in which a hereditary monarch was the sovereign of Malta from 1964 to 1974. The position was occupied by Queen Elizabeth II, who was officially known as "Queen of Malta". Malta shared the Sovereign with the other Commonwealth realms. The monarch's constitutional roles were mostly delegated to the Governor-General of Malta.

The monarchy was abolished in 1974, when Malta became a republic within the Commonwealth.

History

Queen Elizabeth II reviewing British naval personnel in Malta, 1954

Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom, became Queen of the state of Malta by the Malta Independence Act 1964, which transformed the British Crown Colony of Malta into an independent sovereign state. The Queen's executive powers were delegated to and exercised by the Governor-General of Malta. In common with other Commonwealth realms—independent countries within the Commonwealth of Nations sharing the same head of state—the royal succession was governed by the English Act of Settlement of 1701.

Elizabeth II remained the head of state of Malta until the amendment of the Constitution of Malta on 13 December 1974, which abolished the monarchy and established a republic and the office of President of Malta.

Elizabeth II visited Malta in 1954 (3–7 May), 1967 (14–17 November), 1992 (8–10 May), 2005 (23–26 November), and 2007 (20 November).[1] She referenced her 1967 visit in her Christmas Broadcast that year, saying: "Today Malta is independent, with the Crown occupying the same position as it does in the other self-governing countries of which I am Queen. This is the opening of a new and challenging chapter for the people of Malta and they are entering it with determination and enthusiasm."[2]

Between 1949 and 1951, before she became queen, she stayed on the islands four times, visiting her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who was stationed in Malta as a serving officer in the Royal Navy.[3][4]

List of monarchs

House of Windsor
Portrait Name Birth Death Monarch from Monarch until Consort Heir apparent
Queen Elizabeth II 21 April 1926 21 September 1964 13 December 1974 Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Charles, Prince of Wales

Titles

Titles
Elizabeth II
21 September 1964 – 18 January 1965
By the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith
18 January 1965 – 13 December 1974
By the Grace of God, Queen of Malta and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Commonwealth visits since 1952". Official website of the British monarchy.
  2. ↑ "Christmas Broadcast 1967". Official website of the British monarchy.
  3. ↑ "Accession and Coronation". Official website of the British monarchy.
  4. ↑ "60 facts". Official website of the British monarchy.

External links