On Republic Day each year, the President, on behalf of the Government and people of Malta, pays public tribute to a number of Maltese citizens who distinguish themselves in different fields of endeavour, by appointing them to The National Order of Merit or to the Xirka Ġieħ ir-Repubblika, or by awarding them the Midalja għall-Qlubija or the Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika. Nationals of other countries may be conferred with honorary membership of the Order or of the Xirka or awarded the Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika on an honorary basis.

This year's investiture ceremony took place at The Palace, Valletta, on Saturday 13 December 2025, immediately following the customary ceremonial parade held at the Palace Square.

President Myriam Spiteri Debono, President of Malta, appointed eleven members to The National Order of Merit, two of whom were appointed as honorary members. Nine other individuals were awarded the Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika. Three of the latter were awarded the medal posthumously, one of these on an honorary basis.

These appointments were made by means of a proposal by the Nominations Committee set up in accordance with the Ġieh ir-Repubblika Act (Cap. 251) and on the advice of the Prime Minister to the President of Malta.

Two officials from the Armed Forces of Malta were awarded the Distinguished Service Medal during this year's investiture ceremony.

Republic Day Honours list

NATIONAL ORDER OF MERIT

Mario Cutajar, Head of the Maltese Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet between 2013 and 2022.

Stephen C. Spiteri, one of Malta's foremost military historians on the island's fortifications.

ORDINARY MEMBER

Professor Joseph Borg, a leading Maltese scientist whose pioneering work has positioned Malta at the forefront of biomedical and space bioscience research.

Louis Buhagiar, former MP, who founded the Renal Unit at St. Luke's Hospital and started to offer dialysis to patients with advanced kidney disease.

Victor Fenech, a prominent poet, writer, and translator whose work has left a lasting mark on Maltese literature.

Lawrence Scerri, who played a major role in developing and modernizing dermatology services in Malta.

Charles Swain, a pioneering surgeon who significantly advanced the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery in Malta.

Prof Alfred J. Vella, Rector of the University of Malta since 2016.

Theresa Zammit Lupi, a distinguished book and paper conservator renowned for her significant contributions to the preservation of historical manuscripts.

HONORARY MEMBER

Emanuele Grimaldi, one of Europe's most renowned maritime leaders and a long-standing partner of Malta's maritime community.

Fabio Gualandris, the president of STMicroelectronics in Malta and has played a key role in the company's substantial growth on the island.

MIDALJA GĦALL-QADI TAR-REPUBBLIKA

Maestro Joe Brown, a distinguished Maltese conductor and arranger whose career spans more than forty years of contribution to Malta's musical and cultural life

Felix Busuttil, a renowned Maltese dancer, choreographer and artistic director whose career has spanned more than four decades.

Tony Camilleri, popularly known to all as l-Għannej, one of Malta's most respected voices in traditional Maltese folk music.

Professor Alexander E. Felice, (post-humous), one of Malta's most distinguished geneticists, renowned for his pioneering contributions to the study of rare diseases.

Dr Edwin Lanfranco (posthumous), an authoritative figure in Maltese botany and a passionate educator of natural heritage.

Fabio Spiteri, one of Malta's successful ultra-endurance athletes and coaches

Sonia Young, broadcaster.

Id-Dar tal-Providenza, a cherished Maltese institution, dedicated to offer residential services for persons with disabilities in a supportive environment. Director Fr Martin Micallef received the honour.

MIDALJA GĦALL-QADI TAR-REPUBBLIKA ON AN HONORARY BASIS

Professor Max Gibbons, a renowned Consultant Orthopaedic Oncology Surgeon and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Oxford

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL

Captain Mark Anthony Cassar, who serves within the Operations Branch at the Headquarters of the Armed Forces of Malta.

Captain Darren Debono, who serves as a pilot within the Armed Forces of Malta and his service over the past decade has been marked by unwavering diligence and a profound dedication to his country