HMS CHATHAM celebrates Royal 60th Wedding Anniversary in Malta Early Sunday (20th November) morning in the Grand Harbour in Valletta, Malta, Royal Navy frigate HMS Chatham marked the Royal 60th Wedding Anniversary of Her Majesty ...
The ship wanted to send the visual message to congratulate the Royal couple on the occasion of their 60th (Diamond) Wedding Anniversary as they returned to Malta. Coincidentally, HMS Chatham is visiting Malta following a series of Maritime Exercises and regional engagements in the Mediterranean.
The ship sends their very best wishes to the Head of the Armed Forces, Her Majesty the Queen and hope that the Royal couple enjoy revisiting the island where they first lived when the Duke was stationed there as a serving Royal Naval officer.
The engagement between Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten R.N was announced on the 9th July, 1947. Prince Philip joined the Royal Navy in 1939 and after the war, in February 1947, became a naturalised British subject. He was created "Duke of Edinburgh" by King George VI on marriage. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh were married in Westminster Abbey on the 20th November 1947. After marrying Princess Elizabeth, The Duke of Edinburgh continued his naval career, reaching the rank of Lieutenant-Commander in command of the frigate HMS Magpie. Today (20th of November), the actual day of their wedding anniversary, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh travel to Malta where they lived as a young married couple from 1949-51.
A passing GMTV camera crew caught the ship on film preparing for the photograph and broadcast the ships preparations on todays (Tuesday) morning TV show in a news feature while interviewing Anniversary couples on the island who married in the same year.
