The process of the rehabilitation, restoration, and conservation works of Villa Guardamangia, where Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) and Prince Philip lived for periods between 1949 and 1951, has officially begun.

The Villa Guardamangia project is expected to take around three years to complete, at a cost of just over €12 million, more than €10 million of which will be financed through the European Regional Development Fund.

To mark the start of this new phase—following a preparatory and planning stage—Minister for Culture, Lands and Local Government Owen Bonnici and Minister for European Funds and the Implementation of the Electoral Programme Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi visited the site, accompanied by Heritage Malta’s management.

Minister Bonnici remarked: “This is another important step to ensure that our historical heritage—one that also carries international significance due to its link with the British Royal Family—is preserved and enjoyed.” He noted that this project is one of more than 40 different restoration initiatives and reflects a serious commitment to give renewed value to Malta’s history. He added that the rehabilitation of Villa Guardamangia is a unique project, made possible thanks to the government’s decision to acquire the villa from private ownership, apply for EU funds, and now commit seriously to completing the works for the benefit of the Maltese people and tourists alike.

Minister Zrinzo Azzopardi stated that the Villa Guardamangia project is a clear example of how EU funds, when used strategically, can deliver added social, cultural, and economic value. He explained that over €10 million of the investment is being financed by the European Regional Development Fund, enabling a long-neglected historic site to be transformed into a living, sustainable cultural attraction. With such investment, the government is not only preserving the past but also creating new opportunities for education, tourism, and the wider community.

Heritage Malta CEO, Noel Zammit, said that the restoration of Villa Guardamangia continues to reflect the agency’s commitment to accessibility and to ensuring that the public feels connected with the nation’s cultural heritage. This heritage, he said, goes beyond museum artefacts and documents—it is also the collective memory of the nation and historic buildings remembered as residences of the past. Once Villa Guardamangia is brought back to life, an address long reserved for the privileged few will become part of the heritage of all.

Among the works already carried out: parts of the façade that were in imminent danger of collapse have been secured, other areas of the building strengthened, a detailed architectural survey completed, and tons of construction debris removed. Stone statues that once decorated the gardens, along with domestic appliances used in the villa in the 1940s and 50s, have been preserved by Heritage Malta after years of neglect. Decorative wall paintings have also been uncovered for future restoration.

Environmental data such as heat and humidity levels inside the villa has been collected to guide future decisions. Extensive research was also conducted on the villa’s history, its owners, furnishings, and direct testimonies were gathered from people who lived there before and after the royal couple, as well as those who worked in or provided services to them.

Villa Guardamangia consists of 18 rooms, stables, an underground shelter, and a large garden. The restoration project will cover both interior and exterior works and will include the necessary installations to ensure the building operates sustainably from an environmental perspective.

Once completed, the Villa Guardamangia experience will focus on the human aspect and sense of normality that the royal couple cherished during their time in Malta. The villa will be recreated as it appeared in the 1950s, offering visitors the experience of a historical home of that period. A small exhibition and documentary will also help the public understand the centuries-long relationship between Malta and the Royal Family, as well as the colonial historical context in which the royal couple came to Malta in the mid-20th century.