Preview: Queen Elizabeth's visit to Malta strikes a sentimental chord

By Laurence Grech Nov 22, 2005, 16:35 GMT

Valletta - The arrival Monday in Malta's Grand Harbour of the British Royal Navy's fleet flagship - aircraft-carrier HMS Illustrious - heralded this week's visit by Queen Elizabeth II, on her fourth official trip to the Mediterranean island.

She and her husband Prince Philip are expected on Wednesday, two days before she officially opens the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference (CHOGM).

The conference will be attended by British Prime Minister Tony Blair and at least 40 other heads of state or government, with 12 other countries represented by delegations.

For the royal couple, each visit to Malta is inevitably a sentimental one, since Elizabeth, then still a princess, lived here for several months between late 1949 and early 1951 while Philip, then a young naval officer, was stationed on the island.

Malta was a British possession and home to the Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet until it obtained its independence in 1964.

Her last visit to Malta came in 1992, for celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the award of the George Cross by her father, King George VI, to the island of Malta and its people for exceptional bravery and heroism during World War Two. Ever since, the George Cross has been part of the Maltese flag.

This year's visit is taking place amid tight security following reported threats issued against the monarch by al-Qaeda terrorists.

'The Queen is looking forward to a warm welcome and indeed she feels safe visiting Malta,' British High Commissioner Vincent Fean said last week when asked to comment on the threats.

The Maltese police and armed forces are on maximum alert and have been liaising with MI5, the British security service, and Scotland Yard.

For the small island's security forces, the visit and the presence of over 40 heads of state and government for CHOGM poses an unprecedented security challenge.

The queen's programme includes a short walkabout in Valletta's main street, a concert at Malta's national theatre followed by a state dinner, a meeting with schoolchildren at a sports complex and the inauguration of a yacht marina in Grand Harbour.

On Friday, she will preside over the opening of CHOGM at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, in a 17th century former hospital of the Knights of St John, who ruled Malta between 1530 and 1798.