Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1478813
11 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 SEPTEMBER 2022 NEWS of the Queen and Prince Philip both of whom were scheduled to attend the Commonwealth sum- mit in Kampala, Uganda. A few weeks before that event, I was informed that the Royal couple had decided to spend one night in Malta on their way to Kam- pala where they wished to cele- brate their 60th diamond wed- ding anniversary amongst the Maltese people." An event was organised on 20 November in Upper Barrakka, with Gonzi and his wife Cath- erine introducing 30 Maltese couples, some of whom were also celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary, to the roy- al couple. "Clearly the royal couple's deci- sion to spend this special time in Malta amongst the Maltese, em- phasised this 'deeply emotional connection' with Malta and the Maltese and – I must stay – the feeling was reciprocated by the large crowds noisily waiting out- side of Barrakka gardens to per- sonally give their best wishes to the royal couple." Gonzi says that Queen Eliz- abeth's demise is a loss for her family, her country, the Com- monwealth and beyond. "But her legacy will al- ways re- mind us of what is truly meant by a higher calling for 'selfless service to the nation and to the people'," he surmises. Zammit Tabona shares the same sentiment, saying the world has lost a leading states- woman. "She was always up-to-date, well-versed, and briefed," he says of the Queen. "I am extremely saddened." The Maltese connection to the Royal Family is unlikely to fade with the Queen's death. Zammit Tabona says that Prince Charles, now King Charles III, holds a similar affection to Malta, apart from sharing in the Queen's strong sense of duty. On Friday, in his first address as King, Charles paid tribute to his "darling mama". "We owe her the most heartfelt debt any family could owe to their moth- er, for her love, affection, guid- ance and example," he told a mourning nation. In his speech he also gave a nod to his own children, announc- ing that Prince William would take on his former title as the Prince of Wales and saying he wanted "to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas." At 73, King Charles III is the oldest person to assume the British throne. she had Gonzi's team in panic The ascension of a new king will lead to a rebranding exercise to gradually introduce King Charles III's portrait and Royal Arms in everyday life. From coins to stamps and passports, Britain will rebrand for the King. The national anthem will now proclaim: 'God save the King'. Queen Elizabeth's portrait on British coins and banknotes is the only one most people have ever seen. The same can be said of the Queen's silhouette embossed on all stamps issued by the Royal Mail. And the cereal box on your breakfast table or chocolate import- ed from the UK is likely to have the royal warrant on it depicting the Queen's coat of arms. For 70 years, the Queen's portrait and her royal seal have been an intrinsic part of British life but all this will change with the ascent of a new monarch. A gradual change of royal rebranding will kick off over the coming days, weeks and months as the UK embraces its new king. All 29 billion coins in circulation in the UK have the Queen's head on them. The most recent design dates from 2015, when she was 88 years old. It was the fifth coin portrait created during her reign. The Royal Mint has not said how or when it will start issuing coins with King Charles III's head on them, but it's likely that the Queen's coins will remain in circulation for many years, and that the process to replace them will be a gradual one. A coin issued in 2018 by the Royal Mint to commemorate Charles's 70th birthday could give a hint as to how the king's portrait will look. King Charles III will be shown facing the other way - to the left. Tradition dictates that the direction in which the monarch faces on coins must alternate for each new monarch. Similar, gradual changes will take place for stamps, passports and the police forces in England and Wales will have to change the royal cypher of Queen Elizabeth II in the centre of their helmet plates. Britain rebrands for the King Villa Guardamangia in Pieta' The Queen at Auberge de Castille with Lawrence Gonzi and his wife Kate during the 2005 CHOGM