A visibly emotional George Vella told The Malta Independent that he is experiencing an exciting day and hopes that things will calm down.

“This is not something that happens every day, it happens once in a lifetime,” he said as he walked from St John’s Co-Cathedral to the presidential palace, greeting well-wishers who lined up the street behind barriers.

Video: Alenka Falzon

Photos: Alenka Falzon & Michael Camilleri