The State of Malta, known unofficially in common parlance as Malta, was a predecessor to modern-day Malta. It existed between 21 September 1964 and 13 December 1974, when Malta became a republic within the Commonwealth.
When British rule ended in 1964, the Malta Independence Act 1964 transformed the British Crown Colony of Malta into an independent sovereign Commonwealth realm; the British monarch, Elizabeth II, became Queen of Malta (Reġina ta' Malta). Malta shared the Sovereign with a number of other Commonwealth realms. The monarch's constitutional roles were mostly delegated to the Governor-General of Malta. The royal succession was governed by the English Act of Settlement of 1701.
The following governors-generals held office in Malta between 1964 and 1974:
- Sir Maurice Henry Dorman (21 September 1964 â€" 4 July 1971)
- Sir Anthony Mamo (4 July 1971 â€" 13 December 1974)
The following held office as prime minister (and head of government) of the State of Malta during this period:
- George Borg Olivier September 21, 1964 â€" 21 June 1971
- Dom Mintoff 21 June 1971 â€" 13 December 1974
Elizabeth II visited Malta in 1967 (14â€"17 November). She also visited:
- 1954 (3â€"7 May)
- 1992 (8â€"10 May)
- 2005 (23â€"26 November)
- 2007 (20 November).
The monarchy was abolished and the Republic of Malta came into existence on 1 July 1974 on the promulgation of the 1974 constitution. Former Governor-General Sir Anthony Mamo became the first President of Malta.
References
- http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=1964-07-23a.819.0
- http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=1964-07-22a.482.1
- http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1964/86
- http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/lords/1964/jul/28/malta-independence-bill
- http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1975/may/05/malta-republic-bill-lords
- http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/lords/1975/mar/20/malta-republic-bill-hl
- http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1975/31/section/1
- http://www.archontology.org/nations/malta/01_polity.php
- http://www.archontology.org/nations/malta/00_1964_74_s.php
- http://www.archontology.org/nations/malta/00_1964_74_gg.php
- http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Malta.htm
- http://www.myspace.com/video/ramon/queen-elizabeth-39-s-visit-to-malta-1967-part-1/25747887
- http://steno.webs.com/info/state/index.html
