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Honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen.  It is a pleasure and an honour to be invited here this evening. 

It is well known that the British, led by Capt Sir Alexander Ball, were invited to Malta over two centuries ago, to help the Maltese fend off Napoleon’s forces.  And that marked the start of a “beautiful relationship”, as they say.

Capt Ball became the first, and arguably, Malta’s most beloved British Governor.  Although his primary career was that of a naval officer, Ball proved also to be an astute politician and understood the subtle differences between ruling and leading.

Throughout the 19th century, the relationship between Britain and Malta continued to be a strong and happy one, with Malta gaining more and more importance particularly as a strategic Royal Navy port.

Sadly the 20th century was to bring challenges the like of which not just Britain and Malta, but that the world had never faced before.  Malta became the Nurse of the Mediterranean during the Great War – continuing the vocation of the Knights at the Sacra Infermeria.  A low point in our relationship was the sad events of Sette Guigno.

During World War II, Malta’s strategic geophysical location, her continued allegiance to the Allied Forces, and downright courage in the face of suffering and adversity, ensured that Malta was pivotal in securing victory in the Mediterranean.  King George VI recognised this defiant feat by uniquely awarding the Maltese nation the George Cross to “bear witness to the heroism and devotion of its people”.

Following WW2, there was seismic shift by the UK towards its colonies, recognizing that the world had been irrevocably changed by the devastation and destruction of the war.  Malta chose independence, and in 1964 became a Commonwealth Realm, overseen by the last of Capt Ball’s successors as Governor, Sir Maurice Dorman.  Malta’s realm status evolved 10 years later to fully fledged independent republic. 

Now, just a few decades later, Malta and the UK stand side by side in the United Nations, the Commonwealth, and the European Union, our friendship as strong as ever, and working together on shared challenges such as illegal immigration and climate change.

My role as British High Commissioner is very different to that of my compatriot Capt Sir Alexander Ball.  But what he and I both share is a love of Malta.          

Thank you.

Louise Stanton
British High Commissioner for Malta

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