Prince William given warm Maltese welcome by Air Malta

23 September 2014

Date: 22 September 2014
Ref: 080-2014


Duke of Cambridge Prince William was given a warm Maltese welcome by Air Malta this weekend when he visited the island to celebrate its 50th anniversary since Independence. 

Before the Duke boarded his return flight, Captain Kevin Grech and Head of Cabin Crew and In-Flight Service Charlene Vella presented him with a painting from Air Malta to commemorate the occasion. 

The painting, by Cedric Galea Pirotta, combined the Royal Coat of Arms found on Valletta’s Victoria Gate, with an Air Malta livery bearing the eight-pointed cross. The Duke appeared very interested in the painting and his team promised to write to the artist personally to thank him. 


This was the second time a member of the artist’s family created a gift for royalty. His silversmith grandfather, Giuseppi Pirotta, had crafted the gift presented by Prime Minister George Borg Olivier to HM Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to the island in 1967.

The Duke, who arrived on Saturday morning on KM 101 and left yesterday on KM 102, shared the flight with hundreds of enthusiastic passengers who were thrilled to be sitting so close to royalty. 

Head of Cabin Crew and In-Flight Service, Charlene Vella, who was present on both flights, said: “The Duke and his team were very pleased with the service provided and shared positive feedback with us. Prince William thanked us personally after both flights, for the excellent service delivered. We were very proud of the team.”
 
Prince William also sang Air Malta’s praises directly to the company’s chairperson Maria Micallef whom he met during a ceremony held at the Upper Barakka on Saturday evening. The Duke was full of kind words about his experience on Air Malta, making special emphasis on the service, hospitality and smiles of the cabin crew. 

Air Malta thanked all employees involved on both flights for their dedication, namely: Captains Vince Agius and Kevin Grech, First Officers, Ronald Cassar and Giovanni Piscopo, Head of Cabin Crew and In-Flight Service Charlene Vella, In-Flight Managers and Cabin Crew Moira Fenech, Adrian Casha, Lyann Marie Abela, Abigail Vella, Sarah Cesareo, Fleur Abela, Claire Sammut, Serge Micallef, and Danielle Scerri. 

 

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