State Visit to Malta and CHOGM

As announced in March, The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, will make a State Visit to Malta and attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Valletta from 26th to 28th November. The Prince of Wales, accompanied by The Duchess of Cornwall, will also attend CHOGM in support of The Queen.

Highlights of the visit will include a full ceremonial welcome in St George's Square, Valletta, a reception hosted by The Queen for the people of Malta, as well as the colourful pageantry of the CHOGM opening ceremony and Heads of Government dinner.

The State Visit, as well as separate engagements undertaken by The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall during the visit, will celebrate The Royal Family's enduring affection for Malta: its people, its history and its future.

 Similarly, engagements centred on CHOGM will acknowledge the potential of the modern Commonwealth and its young people, reinforcing Her Majesty's Commonwealth message earlier this year when she said: "We are guardians of a precious flame, and it is our duty not only to keep it burning brightly but to keep it replenished for the decades ahead."

This will be the fourth time The Prince of Wales will attend CHOGM. The Prince of Wales's attendance at CHOGM will reflect his 40 years as an advocate for global sustainability and youth opportunity. Amongst other engagements he will attend the Special Session on Climate Action and address the CHOGM Business Forum.

Day One: Thursday 26th November

On arrival at Malta International Airport, Her Majesty and The Duke of Edinburgh will be greeted officially by the Prime Minister of Malta, The Honourable Dr. Joseph Muscat.

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will have arrived shortly before and will depart to follow their own programme.

The Queen and The Duke will proceed to St George's Square in the centre of Valletta for a ceremonial arrival and welcome from the President of Malta, Her Excellency Mrs Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, before arriving at the President's official residence at San Anton Palace.

During the afternoon The Prince of Wales will attend the CHOGM Business Forum and The Duchess of Cornwall will visit Mdina Glass in Ta'Qali.

On Thursday evening The Queen, accompanied by The Duke, The Prince and The Duchess, will host a reception for the People of Malta in the gardens of San Anton Palace.

The Prince of Wales, President of The Prince's Trust, will later join guests at a reception to mark the launch of Prince's Trust International.

Day Two: Friday 27th November

The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, will attend the opening ceremony of the 24th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta.

After the opening ceremony, The Queen, accompanied by The Prince of Wales, will return to San Anton Palace to host a drinks reception and a lunch for new Commonwealth Heads of Government.

The Duke of Edinburgh and The Duchess of Cornwall will depart the MCC for separate programmes.

The Duke will first visit St Paul’s Cathedral for a short thanksgiving service and tour, including meeting the ‘Farmers Boys’, former Members of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Royal Regiment (Berkshire and Wiltshire) and to meet The Friends of the Cathedral, of which he is Patron.

From the Cathedral, The Duke will travel to the Casino Maltese for a Duke of Edinburgh International Awards lunch.

The Duchess of Cornwall, Patron of Book Trust, will visit the "Read With Me" literacy programme at St Thomas More College Primary School, Zejtun, followed by a drumhead service and wreath laying ceremony at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Capuccini Naval Cemetery, Kalkara.

Following the New Heads lunch, The Prince of Wales will visit the Maritime Museum, Vittoriosa, to view an exhibition of the finalists of "Out of the Blue: The Prince of Wales's Commonwealth Environmental Photography Awards" and attend a discussion with youth delegates.

His Royal Highness will then attend a Special CHOGM Executive Session on Climate Change.

On Friday evening The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, will attend the traditional CHOGM dinner at the Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard.

Day 3: Saturday 28 November

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will undertake a short engagement in Mdina before departing on Saturday morning.

Following private farewells with the President, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will visit Heritage Malta, Kalkara, where they will observe restoration work of historically significant paintings, books and textiles and watch a display of Maltese culture – both traditional and contemporary.

From here The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will depart by boat to cross Valletta Harbour for the final engagement of the State visit at Marsa Racecourse, home to Malta Racing Club and Malta Polo Club.

The Queen and The Duke will view events and present prizes before departing for Malta International airport and the official farewell.