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Michaela Muscat
Last Wednesday as security in the capital city reached its peak in expectation for Queen Elizabeth II’s arrival, it was evident that time has taken its toll on the strong cultural bonds between the peoples of the two islands.
Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh’s visit commenced two days before the opening of the 18 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting that was being hosted by the Maltese government.
Members of the older generation who are proud of Malta’s legacy as a British colony could appreciate her visit. Feelings ranging from lukewarm dislike, to a blasé attitude were to be expected by Maltese teenagers who have no cultural affiliation with the Royal family.
So it came as no surprise that the crowd was mainly made up of the elderly Maltese and British ex-pats. Miniature plastic Union Jacks could be seen fluttering amongst the flushed and excited front row on-lookers in Palace Square. The Queen and Prince Philip were applauded as they walked into the Palace to meet the various Maltese dignitaries.
The spanking new metal gates straddling both sides of the pavement and policemen managed to keep the former subjects and the local and international press away from her Majesty.
If she was expecting all Malta to come out in full force to salute her, it is certain that she was sorely disappointed. A good number of the people who spoke to MaltaToday said that they happened to be shopping or running errands in Valletta. Yet when the Queen was walking in between the metal gates to reach the car emitting thick fumes, in front of the law courts – all shoved through the narrow throng to catch a glimpse of the Royal family.
The quaint little old ladies decked out in their Sunday best were reminiscent of teenyboppers at a pop concert as they reached out to shake hands with their idol.
Janis a Scottish woman living in Malta brought along her son Cameron to see the Queen, as she believes that “she won’t be around when he gets older.” Draped in the blue Scottish flag she asked her son, riding piggy-back, if he remembered whom he was waiting for, at which he timidly replied: “the queen.”
Nazzarenu, decked out against the metal gates and puffing away nonchalantly at his cigarette had more than cultural affiliations with the English as he served as a guard for over 30 years. His only displeasure was that the Queen did not visit often enough.
Not everyone was pleased about the Queen being on Maltese soil. Visting the Msida area to get acquainted with the feelings of the younger generation about the President of the Commonwealth, the teenagers seemed to fear for their country’s safety. Natasha Coppini was annoyed that the Queen’s visit could result “in the closure of several Paceville clubs”. Coppini disclosed that her group of friends had long been hearing these rumours. James Schembri did not beat around the bush when he said that he “could not care less about the Royal Family.”
Keith Genuis of Mosta was of the opinion that the “government had better things to spend its money on and that roads should not only be asphalted when foreign dignitaries happened to come along”. His friend Imran Shaikh whose family has settled in Siggiewi but whose origins can be traced back to Pakistan, also a former British colony, showed no interest whatsoever in the Queen and said that “I hope that we will never become a colony again.”
The spirit of the opening of the Grand Harbour yacht marina in Cottonera differed from that of the man in the street. Besides for the elite few lucky enough to be invited to the ceremony, not many bothered venturing to the Marina. The members of the public who attended as guests had the opportunity to see the Queen up-close as she unveiled a plaque and received a bouquet of flowers from the daughter of one of the owners of the marina.
Mrs Gravina was extremely excited at having the opportunity to see the Queen. And she was also dressed up to the nines in her party-frock as were her two sons – unusually excited compared to other boys their age. All of the Gravina family exclaimed what an honour it was for them to experience part of history and a one of lifetime opportunity.
Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh’s four-day state visit came to an end yesterday afternoon as they bid farewell to the country where the Queens is said to have spent her only few years of normality.
mmuscat@mediatoday.com.mt
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