Malta’s link to the United Kingdom, and its Royal Family, has been an intimate one both before and after the island received its independence. Although the then-Princess Elisabeth and Prince Philip enjoyed lengthy stays in Malta between 1949 and 1951, it wasn’t until three years later that a young Prince Charles and Princess Anne had their first taste of the island.

Both the Queen’s and the young royal’s stay was documented by British Pathe as part of a larger tour of the Commonwealth countries. The footage gives us an intimate glimpse into the animated, at times awkward yet totally adorable personalities behind the world’s most famous (and stoic) royals.

Setting foot on the island a day after the Queen, the event marked the first ever international trip for five-year-old Prince Charles and three-year-old Princess Anne. Wearing matching “bright yellow coats”, the young royals were accompanied by their governess, nanny and aunt and uncle Mountbatten, who ushered them to the Floriana Parade Ground. There, they witnessed a Services parade – as well as a seemingly traditional inspection by a shaggy dog - from the balcony of a nearby hotel, with the pair reportedly following the events closely “with much excitement.”

After the ceremony, Prince Charles lends a hand to his younger sister as she steps down the stairs and into a waiting car, with the voiceover confirming that “it’s been a thrilling day for them both.” 

This was not the pair's only visit to the island. In fact, they returned years later in their youth for a quiet holiday in 1969. 

Can you believe how different they both looked?