UK in Malta - British High Commission Valletta

It was a pleasure to welcome Heads of Mission accredited to the Court of St James’s to Malta as part of a visit led by Malta’s High Commissioner to the UK, Dr Stephen Montefort, including Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Ivan Romero-Martinez.

Thank you to Dr Kenneth Spiteri and the Mediterranean Conference Centre for hosting an evening overlooking the Grand Harbour and for sharing the vision for this iconic Maltese venue.

The UK and Malta benefit from strong international partnerships, and opportunities such as these help deepen the connections that underpin modern diplomacy.

Bella Malta - photos by the High Commission team...

🇲🇹 B’referenza għall-inċident ġewwa l-kamra tan-nar li ġie rrappurtat iżjed kmieni, il-Pulizija kkonfermaw mal-persuna responsabbli minn din il-kamra tan-nar li l-ħaddiema liċenzjati kollha marbuta mal-post ġew ikkuntattjati u kkonfermaw li ħadd minnhom ma kien fil-post fil-ħin tal-inċident.

Żewġt irġiel li kienu f’għelieqi fil-qrib meta seħħet l-isplużjoni, ittieħdu l-Isptar Mater Dei b’ambulanza, fost oħrajn bħala prekawzjoni minħabba x-xokk. Aktar t**d, it-tnejn ġew iċċertifikati li qed isofru minn ġrieħi ħfief.

Il-Pulizija, bl-assistenza tal-Protezzjoni Ċivili, il-Forzi Armati ta’ Malta u l-istaff mediku, għadhom fuq il-post sabiex jassiguraw is-sigurtà tal-inħawi.

Il-Maġistrat Dr Joe Mifsud LL.D. qed imexxi inkjesta, filwaqt li l-appell lill-pubbliku biex jevita z-zona għadu fis-seħħ.

🇬🇧 With reference to the fireworks factory incident reported earlier, the Police have confirmed with the fireworks factory licensee that all licensed workers connected to the premises were accounted form and none of them were on site at the time of the incident.

Two men, who were in nearby fields when the explosion occurred, were taken to Mater Dei Hospital by ambulance, including as a precaution due to shock. Both were later certified as suffering from slight injuries.

The Police, assisted by the Civil Protection Department, the Armed Forces of Malta and medical personnel, remain on site to ensure the safety of the area.

Magistrate Dr Joe Mifsud LL.D. is leading an inquiry, while the public is once again urged to avoid the area.

We are aware of reports of an explosion at a fireworks manufacturing facility in the Magħtab/Mosta area this morning and our thoughts are with those affected.

We remain in contact with the Maltese authorities and thank the emergency services and first responders for their swift response.

At this time, there is no indication of any wider risk to the public. British nationals are advised to avoid the immediate Magħtab/Mosta area while emergency services remain on scene and to follow the advice of the local authorities.

Deputy High Commissioner Tristan Gilchrist recently visited the LGBTIQ+ Gozo Hub, where he met with Cat Camilleri (Community Engagement Officer) and Warren Bugeja, (Community Officer).

The discussion focused on the distinct needs of the LGBTIQ+ community in Gozo, compared with those in Malta, as well as new initiatives underway and opportunities for collaboration. It was a valuable opportunity to explore how we can continue to support and strengthen inclusion across all parts of society.

We’re grateful for the important work being done by the team in Gozo and look forward to continued engagement. 🏳️‍🌈

A wonderful evening at the Phoenicia Hotel to mark the launch of Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. The Inside Story by Robert Hardman.

It was a pleasure to host this special occasion alongside the United States Ambassador, H.E. Somers Farkas, celebrating a remarkable portrait of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II — a figure whose legacy continues to resonate so deeply.

Hosting this launch in Malta felt particularly fitting. The island held a special place in the Queen’s life, offering her a period of happiness and normality at the start of her marriage — a connection that continues to underline the close and enduring ties between Malta and the United Kingdom.

Congratulations to Robert Hardman on this insightful and compelling work, and thank you to all who joined us for such a memorable evening.

Last Friday, our Political and Defence Assistant Jade England attended the opening performance of ŻfinMalta’s ‘Unfold’, under the artistic direction of British choreographer Matthew William Robinson. A powerful evening of contemporary dance, Unfold brought together two striking works—Nation and Sway—offering bold and visually captivating reflections on our world.

NATION unfolded in a stark landscape where lost souls search for meaning beyond the end—shifting hauntingly between the intimate and the vast. In contrast, SWAY showed an exploration of human connection—an emotionally charged journey of vulnerability, trust and shared energy between dancers and audience.

Congratulations to all involved in this outstanding performance!

A few weeks ago, our Second Secretary Lewis Nicod had the pleasure of attending a highly engaging Maths Through Stories consultation workshop led by Dr Natthapoj Vincent Trakulphadetkrai, which bought together 60+ educators, policymakers and international partners from OECD and UNESCO to explore innovative, inclusive approaches to maths learning.

In his opening remarks, Lewis Nicod remarked that the approach “brings mathematics to life by connecting abstract ideas to meaningful concepts” adding that such collaboration ensures research is translated into real classroom impact—with the UK proud to support these vital research–practice–policy links.

The event marked the beginning of a promising long-term partnership between the Maths Through Stories initiative and Maltese stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education.