Second Lieutenant Jonathan Cutajar was presented with the sword by HM the Queen’s Representative, HH Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar, himself a former Sandhurst cadet. The presentation of awards took place during the 144th Sovereign’s Parade on 8 April at the end of the standard 11-month course, at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England. Founded in 1799, Sandhurst is the oldest military academy of any major army in the world.

Second Lieutenant Cutajar, of Fgura, enlisted in the Armed Forces of Malta as an officer cadet on 1 October 2002. After successfully completing his basic course in Malta, Cutajar aged 23, began his commissioning course at Sandhurst on 5 May 2003.

In 2002, Lieutenant Jason Ebejer also won this award. The present sword replaces the Overseas Cane of Honour, previously awarded to overseas cadets.

Major Ian Ruggier was the first Maltese officer to win the cane in 1992, followed by Captain Jeffrey Curmi in 1996.