With Christmas just around the corner, Heritage Malta has unearthed a delightful festive memory from Fort St Angelo’s days as HMS St Angelo: the stirring of the Christmas pudding, a Royal Navy tradition that continues to this day.

In a photo shared by the agency, the ship’s Commanding Officer and the youngest sailor take part in this annual ritual, mixing a hefty bowl of Christmas pudding – and naturally, no Navy pudding was ever complete without a very generous splash of rum, also seen in the photo.

The tradition, which took place weeks before Christmas, brought together the ship’s hierarchy in a symbolic (and morale-boosting) moment. The Captain, the Supply Officer, and the youngest crew member would stir the massive basin of pudding, often using a paddle, before the mixture was portioned into smaller bowls for each mess.

More than just a cooking task, this ritual was a moment of unity at sea, bringing together the highest- and lowest-ranking crew in one festive ceremony. In some cases, the youngest sailor even had the honour of being named ‘Captain for the Day’ during the Christmas festivities, adding a playful twist to life onboard.

A small but meaningful tradition, it’s one that brought sailors closer together, and one that offers us a charming glimpse into the naval life once lived within the walls of Fort St Angelo.

Were you familiar with this tradition?