On the occasion of the 54th Anniversary since Malta’s Independence, the Malta High Commission celebrated with a reception at Malta House and exhibition by artist Prof Victor Grech in aid of Beating Hearts Malta followed by a concert by soprano Nicola Said, tenor Cliff Zammit Stevens and pianist Christine Zerafa at St James’s Church Piccadilly on Thursday 20 September 2018.

Distinguished guests for the reception included the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, Alistair Harrison CMG, CVO; various Ambassadors and High Commissioners; top officials from the Foreign Office and international institutions including the Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland; members of the House of Lords and House of Commons; and members of various Maltese organisations in the UK. The High Commissioner of Malta, the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps and the Parliamentary Secretary for Consumer Protection and Valletta 2018 addressed the guests.

The events on 20 September were organised with the kind support of Bank of Valletta plc, Malta Enterprise, Malta Financial Services Authority, Malta Stock Exchange plc and Malta Tourism Authority.

The Most Rev John Hall, Dean of Westminster Abbey invited the High Commission staff and guests, to the Quire of Westminster Abbey for Evensong – an uplifting choral service – which was held on 24 September 2018. Intercessory prayers were said for the Government and people of Malta, Maltese nationals living in the United Kingdom, for diplomats dispersed throughout the world, and for the work of the Malta High Commission in London. Deputy High Commissioner Chantal Sciberras was invited to read the Second Lesson during this service.  Psalms and hymns were performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey, renowned worldwide as one of the finest choirs of its type. For the day, the Maltese flag was flown from the West Tower on the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey.