In January 1912 King George V, accompanied by his wife, called on Malta on their return from a royal tour of India. As the King partook in more formal functions, Queen Mary spent time visiting a few cultural attractions, among them the famous gardens of Villa Frere in Pietà.

Captain Edward Price and his family, then residents of the estate, accompanied Her Majesty around the terraces, arbours and belvederes surrounded by plantings dominated by many, some almost century-old trees. At the end of her walk, the Queen was invited into a small stone gazebo where she unveiled a commemorative plaque.

Ten years later, while on a brief sojourn of her beloved Malta, Queen Marie of Romania also wished to see Hookham Frere’s Arcadian gardens. She too unveiled a tablet in the same gazebo, which had most likely been designed by chief royal engineer General Sir George Whitmore, a friend of John Hookham Frere. The Doric structure was clearly built together with the higher tempietto, now divorced from the gardens in the precincts of St Luke’s Hospital, itself acclaimed to be one of the best examples neoclassical architecture in Malta

Today, although only a fraction of the ruined estate exists, the voluntary organisation Friends of Villa Frere are striving to salvage what survives for posterity. A priority is saving the Royal Gazebo which, sadly, despite its highly significant architecture and social history, stands on the point of collapse.

Mepa has swiftly given us planning permission to restore, yet these works come at a hefty price and we thus appeal to any interested entity for assistance. We can be contacted on villafrere@gmail.com or on 9944 7075.