The stars and stripes was lowered for the last time yesterday from the flagpole atop the US Embassy in Floriana as diplomatic operations move to the new compound in Ta’ Qali.

Malta has had “some form of diplomatic relationship” with the US since 1796 and when the country gained independence in 1964 the US Embassy was cased in Valletta, Chargé d’Affaires Richard Mills said during the short ceremony on the roof. After a short stint in Sliema, the embassy moved to Development House on St Anne Street, Floriana in 1974.

“I was 12 when the American Embassy came to Floriana and I can remember being very proud of my city,” Floriana mayor Nigel Holland said, after being presented with the flag as a token of appreciation to the community.

“It’s a sad day,” he said, adding that the flag would be on permanent display at the local council’s offices.

Mr Mills said the embassy had stood through the Cold War, the new millennium and the September 11 attacks, which had demanded stepped up security.

While the premises on St Anne’s Street were rented out to the US, the country owns the new premises in Ta’ Qali, which is set to be opened officially on July 15.

Contrary to “popular myth”, Mr Mills said the embassy would still be Maltese territory but, because of certain regulations, the Maltese government would still require clearance to enter the premises.

Embassy official Joanna Zingariello has been working with the US representation in Malta since she was 16, starting in 1979 at the library the embassy had in Valletta and then moving to Floriana in the 1980s. Now 48, she has mixed feelings about leaving the Floriana offices.

“I’m sorry to be leaving Floriana. We had made some really good friends here and being in the centre is really nice but I’m looking forward to settling in Ta’ Qali,” Ms Zingariello said.