The Malta Independent on Sunday
Celebrating the Queen’s birthday at Villa de Giorgio
The yearly garden party at Villa de Giorgio to celebrate the Queen’s birthday was particularly pleasant this year. The cooler temperature definitely had something to do with it. Pimms tastes twice as good when you feel comfortable and are not trying to juggle a glass, a canapé, a bag and at the same time fan yourself.
My fan remained firmly in my bag.
The British certainly know how to throw a garden party.
Soon after going through the gates we were greeted by the Gaelic sound of the bagpipes and naturally, its player in a kilt, reminding us of the Highlands even if perhaps the player may have been Maltese.
A few steps later the British High Commissioner Mr Stuart Gill and Mrs Maggie Gill and a few others were there to welcome us. There was also a small group of Royal Navy officers in uniform, the smart uniform so familiar to those of us who remember the presence of the British in Malta before independence, so much part of my girlhood.
The ambience was gay with bunting, food stations and ladies in colourful clothes. It was obvious that the High Commissioner and his team tried to represent all parts of Britain. There was English wine, Scottish gin, Pimms which is Oh so English, Welsh and English cheese, sausages and in His Excellency’s own words: ‘the British seaside favourite, Fish ‘n Chips,’ which seemed particularly popular. I resisted even if they looked delicious and love them dearly.
The Cordia string quartet kept the background music going, without being too loud (Deo Gratias!) and Rachel Fabri sang the two national anthems beautifully.
In his speech His Excellency spoke about the various horrific tragedies which have marred the lives of so many: the brutal and callous attacks in Westminister, Manchester and London Bridge ‘when only the innocent were targeted, when only the young were in the sights of the killers.’ And then there was the horror of the fire at the Grenfell tower block in west London, ‘an indescribably terrifying event that will scar a community for- ever. If that wasn’t enough, we have witnessed this week the senseless terror attack on Britain’s Muslim community in Finsbury Park.’
H.E. said the Queen (she is 91) continues to be a source of remarkable inspiration and, as she has shown, a source of deep compassion. ‘In her birthday message a few days ago she talked of the sombre mood of the nation. She had been reflecting on the succession of terrible events that had afflicted her country during the last few weeks.’ Even at the venerable age of 91 she continues to take a keen interest in what is happening around her.
Each of these events – and let us not forget others months earlier – Paris, Berlin and elsewhere – is a reminder to us all that danger is never far away. Mr Gill emphasized that the terror attacks in Britain brought this home to us ‘but they have also shown something which gladdened the heart as well as saddened it…the spirit of the people to resist being defeated. We have seen in Manchester and London, communities determined to get on with their lives and to carry on.’ Yes. indeed I felt like saying to His Excellency. Those of us who followed the news almost ob- sessively, were indeed impressed with the generosity and kindness of so many who opened their homes to the victims and, almost in an instant, provided them with clothes, food and other necessities, raising substantial funds as well. Admirable!
Mr Gill then praised our President. He had observed that the theme of peace was threaded through in her speeches. ‘You talk less about peace treaties and governments, and more about peoples and communities working together and collaborating for a peaceful future. I commend you for that and the work you do. It is clear to me that everything our two countries do together is based on exactly this… to build a better, more tolerant and peaceful world.’
It was time to refer to the Brexit question. I was hoping that Mr Gill would comment on this burning question as we are all concerned about its repercussions. ‘And for those who think that the vote which took place in the United Kingdom one year ago today will drag us apart, I say this: ‘Don’t expect the UK to leave the international stage anytime soon; don’t expect us to retreat from our global responsibilities, and don’t expect us to leave Europe. The British people decided they wanted to leave the EU institutions, not Europe. They didn’t want to abandon our European friends, like those here in Malta.’
His Excellency said that in the course of the next few days we will hear a lot about one of the most important aspects of the negotiations of Britain’s exit from the European Union, that is citizen’s rights – how to deal with the status of EU nationals living in the UK (of which there are close to 30,000 Maltese) and the rights of British nationals living in EU member states (of which there are around 9,000 in Malta). ‘This is of crucial importance to both our countries, so we need to get this right. It’s about one of the many factors which bind our two nations together.’
Mr Gill then went on to talk about the ‘special’ friendship our two countries have enjoyed ‘a relationship forged in history’. He reminded us that the 75th anniversary of the George Cross will be celebrated this year. He added that the garden party was an opportunity ‘to thank you all for making us feel at ease and at home’.
At this stage Mr Gill thanked sponsors and all those who had helped with the garden party. He mentioned Fiona in particular for leading the team (this being her 19th Queen’s birthday party) and chef Joseph was also singled out.
At this point glasses were raised in a toast to the President of Malta.
Her Excellency the President replied in a speech in a tone of warmth and friendship towards Britain.
And so to more Pimms, wine, beer and food. These parties and receptions are an opportunity to catch up with friends and acquaintences one only sees on such occasions.
There was much talk about Brexit and the hope that all will be resolved to the satisfaction of as many as possible. Or that maybe there will be another referendum? Unlikely some said.
And finally the flock reluctantly left a very enjoyable party.