Prince Charles yesterday launched the Prince’s Trust International, a global extension of the UK’s leading youth charity.

The Prince of Wales joined President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca at a reception at the Palace to launch the charity in Malta.

He is accompanying Queen Elizabeth II who started a three-day state visit yesterday to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Also joining Britain’s longest-reigning monarch are her husband Prince Philip and Prince Charles’s wife, Camilla, an unusual occurrence.

The Prince’s Trust International builds on the success of the UK charity which has supported 825,000 young people since it was founded in 1976.

It provides consultancy, advice, training and access to programmes which support unemployed and vulnerable young people to succeed in education, employment and enterprise.

“I’ve seen the difference The Prince’s Trust makes, supporting hundreds of thousands of young people into education and employment across the UK. Now we have the opportunity to develop the confidence and skills of young people in countries throughout the world,” Alan Kennedy, chief executive of Prince’s Trust International said.

The Prince’s Trust International has already worked on projects in Jordan and Oman and is now focussing on developing new initiatives in the Commonwealth and Middle East but Malta is the first country chosen as an international partner of the trust

President Coleiro Preca recalled her visits to the Prince's Trust in London where the potential collaboration and the way forward was discussed.

"I was deeply touched by the dedication shown by all of you, and your commitment to the vision of your trust," she said.

Her Presidency, the President said, was endeavouring to seek, in various ways, the well-being of all people in Maltese society, and in particular, children and young people experiencing inequalities. The President's Trust was launched with this aim in mind earlier this year.