Two life-sized fibreglass 'Maltese' colourful donkeys caused a security scare this morning a few minutes before Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were to visit the Mdina cathedral to meet Archbishop Charles Scicluna.

Police and their sniffer dogs were despatched to inspect the donkeys for explosives. The situation attracted the curiosity of onlookers, both local and foreign. Some said that it was an offence to have donkeys placed outside the cathedral when Prince Charles was to walk right past them.

Some cars were also removed from the square opposite the cathedral in the last minutes preceding the visit of Prince Charles and the Duchess to the Mdina cathedral.

Police sources who spoke to this newsroom said the donkeys were not there when the AFM bomb disposal unit inspected Mdina. The donkeys must have been placed after AFM personnel left Mdina.

The donkeys are part of an East-West Peace building Public Art Initiative of the Mediterranean Basin launched at Mdina Contemporary Art Biennale. Using the famous and rare Maltese donkey as an East-West bridging symbol, 21 life-sized donkeys painted and decorated by noted and emerging Maltese and Mediterranean artists to represent the 21 nations of the Mediterranean were exhibited in different parts of Mdina.

Information on the art initiative posted on visitmalta.com website states that this unique public arts initiative hopes to develop understanding and encourage friendship between the Middle East and West.

Video: Jonathan Borg