The romantic story that evolved in Malta between the then Princess Elizabeth and her young and dashing husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, with Villa Guardamangia, Pietà, as their home, is well known.

Tens of biographies of the Queen refer to it and all lovers of the British royal family are aware of the strong connection she has with the George Cross island.

The future Queen Elizabeth II visited Gozo for the first time as Duchess of Edinburgh on April 2, 1951. The princess unveiled a marble plaque at the hospital which was to be known as the Craig Hospital and which is now referred to as Gozo General Hospital, Victoria.

On the same day, Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth visited Sannat. They stopped in front of the house of Ġużeppa Debrincat, the archpriest’s mother, and admired some young women working lace. Debrincat, known as tax-Xelina, offered the princess a piece of lace work. The royal couple later went on to Ta’ Ċenċ where a big water reservoir was being built.

Elizabeth visited Gozo as Queen of Malta on May 7, 1954. This was [her] first visit to Gozo as monarch

When the princess became queen, a marble plaque was attached to the wall of Debrincat’s house to commemorate her visit.

Elizabeth visited Gozo as Queen of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as well as Queen of Malta on May 7, 1954.

This was the first visit of Elizabeth II to Gozo as monarch. She had succeeded her father, King George VI, who had bestowed the George Cross Award to the island nation on April 15, 1942.

Princess Elizabeth congratulating her future husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, after a polo match at Marsa. Photo courtesy of Marsa Sports ClubPrincess Elizabeth congratulating her future husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, after a polo match at Marsa. Photo courtesy of Marsa Sports Club

During the visit the Queen un­veiled the Christ the King war monument in what is now known as Independence Square, Victoria.

A Maltese stamp issued in1956 depicting the Queen and the message of her father, King George VI, to the island’s Governor, awarding the George Cross to the people of Malta. Photo: Lefteris PapulakisA Maltese stamp issued in1956 depicting the Queen and the message of her father, King George VI, to the island’s Governor, awarding the George Cross to the people of Malta. Photo: Lefteris Papulakis

Strangely, her second visit to Go­zo in 1967 was described by The Times of Malta as the first visit to Gozo by a reigning British mo­narch. The Queen and Prince Philip cross­ed over from Malta on the mine­sweeper Walkerton to lay the foundation stone of a new hospital and place a wreath on the war memorial.

Queen Elizabeth II visited the Maltese islands again at the end of May 1992 in order to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the George Cross award.

She dedicated May 30 to visit Gozo. Among other places, she visited the Gozo Cathedral, Victoria. She was welcomed at the door by Bishop of Gozo Nikol Cauchi, Archdeacon Giovanni Gauci and Archpriest Carmelo Scicluna. Fr Joseph Bezzina showed her around the cathedral. President Vincent Tabone and Gozo Minister Anton Tabone were also present.

At the end of the visit, before signing the visitors’ book, Mgr Gauci presented the Queen with a photo of the interior of the dome of the cathedral painted by Antonio Manuele da Mes­sina, which is a classic example of a trompe l’oeil.

The Queen visits Malta this week to preside over the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting but she is not expected to visit Gozo.

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