Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were this morning taken on a picturesque boat trip from Kalkara to Valletta in the island they once called home.

The strong winds and rain which dominated the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting somewhat subsided by this morning to permit the Queen and her husband to take the trip on board a traditional luzzu as scheduled.

The Queen was also shown a commemorative plaque unveiled by her father King George VI upon her arrival in Valletta.

The Queen and Prince Philip shown the commemorative plaque in Valletta.

Speaking at the end of a tour of the Heritage Malta premises in Kalkara, Britain’s longest reigning monarch said every visit reminded her why Malta had been awarded the George Cross for valour in 1942.

“With each visit here I am reminded why Malta was awarded the George Cross in 1942 by my father, King George VI, for her valour – the first and only time it has been awarded to a country rather than an individual,” she said, adding that the visit to Heritage Malta, were she was shown a number of historical artefacts, had imbued in her a sense of certainty that Malta would continue to thrive over the years.

With each visit here I am reminded why Malta was awarded the George Cross

"Since my first experience of Malta in 1949 as a young woman, I have seen this country evolve into a strong nation which plays an important role on the world stage. When Prince Philip and I returned in November 2007 at the time of our Diamond Wedding Anniversary, we could not help but be impressed by the progress and the sense of optimism.”

The 89-year-old monarch, who arrived Thursday for a three-day visit, this morning also rolled up her sleeves to plant a tree in the grounds of the presidential San Anton palace. Before leaving, the Queen was taken to the Marsa race track to watch the horse racing.

The Queen was in Malta to open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting for what is believed to be the final time. The meeting – hosted at Fort St Angelo in Birgu – was attended by British Prime Minister David Cameron and new Canadian leader Justin Trudeau, among several other leaders.

The Queen has close ties to the Mediterranean island, where she lived between 1949 and 1951 while her husband was in the Royal Navy.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, who accompanied the royal couple, visited Mdina before leaving the island, where they were greeted by an enthusiastic crowd.

Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, look on during a tour through Mdina.

The Queen on board the boat, accompanied by Minister Leo Brincat. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

The Queen was welcomed by officers on board the HMS Bulwark. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi