State of Malta

State of Malta
Stat ta’ Malta
Commonwealth realm
←
1964–1974 →
Flag Coat of arms
Motto
"Virtute et Constantia"
"[By] virtue and constancy"
Anthem
L-Innu Malti
The Malta Hymn
Royal anthem
God Save the Queen
State of Malta in Dark Green.
Capital Valletta
Languages English
Maltese
Government Constitutional monarchy
Queen
 -  1964–1974 Elizabeth II
Governor-General
 - 1964–1971 Maurice Henry Dorman
 - 1971–1974 Anthony Joseph Mamo
Prime Minister
 - 1964–1971 George Borg Olivier
 - 1971–1974 Dom Mintoff
Historical era Cold War
 -  Independence 21 September 1964
 -  Republic 13 December 1974
Area
 -  1967 316 km² (122 sq mi)
Population
 -  1967 est. 314,216 
     Density 994.4 /km²  (2,575.4 /sq mi)
Currency Pound Sterling (1964–1972)
Maltese Lira (1972–1974)

The State of Malta, known unofficially in common parlance as Malta, was a predecessor to modern-day Malta. It existed between 21 September 1964 and 13 December 1974, when Malta became a republic within the Commonwealth.

When British rule ended in 1964, the Malta Independence Act 1964 transformed the British Crown Colony of Malta into an independent sovereign Commonwealth realm; the British monarch, Elizabeth II, became Queen of Malta (Reġina ta' Malta). Malta shared the Sovereign with a number of other Commonwealth realms. The monarch's constitutional roles were mostly delegated to the Governor-General of Malta. The royal succession was governed by the English Act of Settlement of 1701.

The following governors-generals held office in Malta between 1964 and 1974:

  1. Sir Maurice Henry Dorman (21 September 1964 – 4 July 1971)
  2. Sir Anthony Mamo (4 July 1971 – 13 December 1974)

The following held office as prime minister (and head of government) of the State of Malta during this period:

  1. George Borg Olivier September 21, 1964 – 21 June 1971
  2. Dom Mintoff 21 June 1971 – 13 December 1974

Elizabeth II visited Malta in 1967 (14–17 November). She also visited:

The monarchy was abolished and the Republic of Malta came into existence on 1 July 1974 on the promulgation of the 1974 constitution. Former Governor-General Sir Anthony Mamo became the first President of Malta.

References