Charles in Malta for George Cross anniversary
THE PRINCE of Wales has been welcomed to Malta with a handshake from the nation’s prime minister and smiles from excited tourists.
Charles began his two-day trip to the Commonwealth country with a meeting with prime minister Joseph Muscat and had the chance to say hello to the politician’s family.
On the steps of Auberge de Castille – the official office of the prime minister – the heir to the throne chatted to the wife of the Maltese leader, Michelle Muscat, and the couple’s twin daughters Etoile Ella and Soleil Sophie, who both presented him with a posy.
The Prince, who is president of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association, later joined Mr Muscat, Second World War veterans and their families and invited guests for an evening ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the awarding of the medal on April 15 1942 by King George VI.
The commemorations took place in St George’s Square, where 75 years ago, surrounded by bomb-damaged buildings, Malta’s governor and commander-in-chief Lord Gort presented Sir George Borg, the Maltese Chief Justice, with the nation’s gallantry honour.
The George Cross is Britain’s highest civilian honour for bravery and its award recognised the sacrifice and fortitude of the people of Malta in the face of relentless bombing by the Axis forces. The Prince had an auspicious start to his visit – the sky turned from grey to white – and the rain that had brought flooding to areas outside the capital subsided just before he arrived in Valletta. As his motorcade stopped at the prime minister’s official residence, waiting tourists strained to get a view of the heir to the throne.
Charles will also meet participants of the Prince’s Trust International’s Get into Hospitality and Achieve programmes during his visit, along with visiting Nature Trust Malta on Golden Bay beach, and the Hagar Qim Temple Complex.
The George Cross was awarded to the people of Malta on April 15 1942, in recognition of the heroism and bravery they showed during the war.