Queen 'was put back in cage after Malta trip' says Hicks

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The Queen and Prince Philip were able to experience a semblance of normality when they settled down in Malta shortly after their marriage. Whilst on the island, the then Duchess of Edinburgh experienced life as the wife of a naval officer rather than as heir to the throne, Prince Charles’ second cousin India Hicks claimed. Ms Hicks, the granddaughter of Prince Philip’s uncle Lord Mountbatten, said the couple’s return to England in the early 1950s had Her Majesty “back in a gilded cage.”

Speaking to ITV following the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh, Ms Hicks said: “The only other time they really would’ve had a very normal life like that, a private life, a life that wasn’t so filled with work and public duty was when the Queen and Prince Philip were newly married and they were out in Malta.

“Rather beautifully, my grandmother remarked that when the Queen went back to England after her time there as a normal naval officer’s wife, it was like taking a little bird and putting it back in its gilded cage.”

The Queen and Prince Philip lived in Valletta for three years as the Duke of Edinburgh was stationed on HMS Magpie.

The pair returned occasionally to England, including for the birth of Princess Anne in 1950.

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Due to King George VI’s health conditions deteriorating, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh returned to the UK permanently in 1951 and took on an increasing number of duties.

During a visit to Malta in 2015, Her Majesty was presented with a painting of the old home she lived in with Prince Philip, Villa Guardamangia.

She commented: “Visiting Malta is always very special for me.

“I remember happy days here with Prince Philip when we were first married.”

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The Queen bid her final goodbye to the Duke of Edinburgh on Saturday after nearly 74 years together.

Her Majesty was joined by her four children – Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward – as well as all of her and Prince Philip’s grandchildren.

Prince Harry also made his way back to the UK in order to pay tribute to his grandfather after over a year without face-to-face contact with the family since stepping down with his wife Meghan Markle in 2020.

The Queen was spotted wiping away some tears as she joined the funeral procession from a state car alongside one of her ladies-in-waiting. 

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