Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Edward Visit Malta Amid Royal Controversy

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward and Sophie, have embarked on a significant visit to Malta amidst unfolding royal dynamics, as confirmed by Buckingham Palace. The couple’s visit marks the 60th anniversary of Malta’s independence and represents the first royal engagement in Malta since November 2018 when Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, visited the island.

Prince Edward, aged 60, and Sophie, 59, are no strangers to Malta; they last visited in their capacity as Earl and Countess of Wessex in November 2012. Sophie returned alone in 2018. Their current visit occurs against a backdrop of discussions within the royal family concerning its modernization, following an alleged “snub” from Lady Pamela Hicks, a former lady-in-waiting to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

India Hicks, daughter of Lady Pamela, asserted in an interview with Marie Claire that her mother believes in a streamlined, more focused royal family. This vision prominently features King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales as the “hard-working foursome,” noticeably excluding the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh from this inner circle.

Despite their exclusion from this concept of a core royal team, Prince Edward remains one of the most active royal family members, having completed 297 engagements in 2023, following closely behind Princess Anne and the King himself. The Duchess of Edinburgh has also seen an increase in her royal activities, nearly doubling her engagements in September compared to the previous year, according to The Times.

In Malta, the royal couple is slated to meet with President Myriam Spiteri Debono and Prime Minister Dr. Robert Abela. A visit to Villa Guardamangia, historically significant as the residence of the late Queen and Prince Philip from 1949 to 1951, is also planned. Sophie is scheduled to lay a posy in honor of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and engage in discussions on gender-based violence and human trafficking.

The royals will partake in The King’s Birthday Reception hosted by the British High Commissioner, further underscoring diplomatic ties between the UK and Malta.

In a tribute to historical ties, the Duke and Duchess have commemorated British and Maltese naval sacrifice in World War II by attending a wreath-laying ceremony for submariners. Prince Edward unveiled a plaque at the newly inaugurated Submariners’ Walkway. During the ceremony, he remarked on the recognition of their service, particularly honoring the crews of HMS Olympus, HMS Urge, and HMS Upholder, which sank off Malta in 1942.

Additional visits include the National War Museum and the Maritime Museum. At the former, Sophie reflected on her connection to history by touching a plaque commemorating a visit by then-Princess Elizabeth in 1950. The tour around historical sites and public interactions are integral components of their visit aimed at strengthening historic ties and engaging with the Maltese public.