Starting today, the Times of Malta is publishing a series of features on people’s recollections of Queen Elizabeth II in Malta, in the run-up to her next visit later this month. Roger Degiorgio goes back 61 years to when she set foot on the island for the first time, two years after she acceded to the throne.

It was May 4, 1954 and the British monarch had just inaugurated the Mater Admirabilis Training College at Tal-Virtù, now the Seminary, on her second day of a four-day visit to the island.

Roger Degiorgio, who next month turns 93, had the “huge privilege” of meeting the royal couple in person – he was one of the architects who had designed the building.

A delighted Queen Elizabeth II meeting the couple at a special function held in 2005.

Mr Degiorgio had joined an architectural firm led by AS Mortimer shortly after graduating in 1945. He quickly rose through the ranks and a few years later became a partner, with the firm changing its name to Mortimer and Degiorgio. At its peak the company had offices in Benghazi and Tripoli where it was commissioned to build hospitals and schools.

“After all these years, I am still impressed not only by the Queen’s warm smile but also for the manner in which she made everyone feel at ease in spite of all the royal protocol,” he said, recounting the experience more than six decades later.

At the time, Prince Philip’s outspokenness sometimes hit the headlines, and Mr Degiorgio experienced it first hand.

“While touring the premises, he turned to me and remarked that Maltese women should learn how to dress up as he had not been particularly impressed by their appearance.”

Mr Degiorgio took no offence at the observation: it was just Prince Philip’s frank opinion, he insisted.

Sitting beside him at their villa, his wife, Marguerite, 88, was keen to stress that this was not the only time they had met the royal couple. Thirteen years later, in 1967, they were invited to a special ball at the Governor’s Palace in Valletta.

“I remember we were sitting in the front row, and I have to admit we felt very ardent as we never expected to be in the front row. My husband probably forgot to mention this event as he was never fond of dancing,” she smiled.

Their third and final encounter with the royal couple occurred 38 years later, when the Queen was in Malta again for the Commonwealth Summit in November 2005. This time the Degiorgios were invited to a special function at the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta, at which couples who got married in 1947 – the same year that the royal couple tied the knot – were special guests.

While their venerable age means taking part in public engagements poses quite a few challenges for the Degiorgios, their enthusiasm for the royal visit is already building up. In fact they did not blink an eye when asked if they would like to share their experience with readers.