The then-Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip were in the first years of their marriage when they took up residence at Villa Guardamangia between 1949-1951 during Prince Philip’s station at the Royal Navy frigate in Malta.
The Queen has described her stay at Malta as one of the best periods of her life where she was able to experience a ‘normal’ life, visiting the local cinema and mingling with locals.
In 2007, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh returned to the villa to celebrate their 60th anniversary.
In 2015, the Queen reportedly asked to see the villa during a visit to Malta, but was refused by its then owners due to its poor state of repair.
Recent photos depict the once-grand residence in a now crumbling and deteriorated state.
Pieces of broken statues that were recovered from the garden are piled up in a room in the 16,700 square foot residence.
A rolled-up carpet is left in front of a fireplace, inside a room that was once used by the young royals as the grand hall for receiving guests at the villa.
Sofas left by the previous occupant of Villa Guardamangia face each other in what was once the kitchen.
Wrought-iron railings lead down a grand staircase from the roof of the villa. The historic building has been acquired by Heritage Malta some five million euros and the agency hopes to restore the villa to its once grand visage and turn it into a museum.