British Royal Visit to Malta

While the Scottish were absorbing the results of their referendum, Prince William was on his way to Malta to represent the Queen of Australia at the 50th anniversary of independence and formation of the Republic. President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, said, “We respect the British Royal family. We consider the British people as our friends, not simply our ex-colonisers. We consider the royal family as friends of Malta”. In Malta’s case, there are many, many ex-colonisers over the centuries, the British having been only the most recent although instrumental in the defence of the country in WWII. Malta is also a much smaller and less prosperous nation than Scotland. The crowds were reported to be “thin” with many more British than Maltese present. Those out for the walkabouts were apparently disappointed to be seeing William rather than Kate or George.