Republic Day

A defining moment in Malta’s modern political history occurred on December 13, 1974, when Malta was officially declared a republic. After gaining independence from Britain in 1964, Malta became a full member of the British Commonwealth, with Queen Elizabeth II as the constitutional head of state. However, the Maltese government, led by Prime Minister Dom Mintoff, aimed to achieve full national sovereignty by replacing the monarchy with a republic.

The constitutional amendments introduced in 1974 replaced the British monarch with the President of Malta as the head of state, making Malta a republic within the Commonwealth. In Malta's new republican structure, the President was appointed as a largely ceremonial head of state, with executive authority residing primarily in the Prime Minister and the Parliament. The role of the President was mainly to represent national unity and ensure adherence to constitutional principles, though the office has some significant powers, such as appointing the Prime Minister and judges.

Since becoming a Republic, Malta has remained part of the Commonwealth and has developed a distinct national identity while participating actively on the international stage, eventually joining the European Union in 2004.

The 1974 transition was thus a defining moment that laid the foundation for Malta’s modern, independent, and republic-based government system, which remains in place to this day.

During the parliamentary session on December 13, 1974, Sir Anthony Mamo, who was serving as the Governor-General of Malta at the time, was selected to become the country’s first President. Previously, Sir Anthony Mamo held the Chief Justice role and was later appointed Malta’s first Maltese Governor-General. With Malta's transition to a republic, he was chosen to assume the new role of President, making him the nation’s first head of state in the republic era.

Republic Day is celebrated with various events across Malta. The President presides over an investiture ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Valletta, honouring individuals who have excelled in their fields. Festivities also include a fireworks display over the Grand Harbour and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Republic Day monument in Marsa.

The festivities conclude each year with a 'Trooping the Colour' military parade in St. George's Square, Valletta. As a member of the Commonwealth, Malta participates in this British military tradition, where soldiers and the band of the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) march in procession, carrying the Presidential Colour. The parade includes a formal salute to the President of the Republic of Malta and concludes with a ceremonial feu de joie performed by the AFM.