Myriam Spiteri Debono has been sworn in as the eleventh President of Malta in a state ceremony at the Grand Master's Palace in Valletta. 

Trumpeters from the Armed Forces of Malta sounded a fanfare and a 21-gun salute was fired from the Saluting Battery to mark her entering the office.

She took an oath, swearing to uphold the consititution, during a ceremony at the Throne Room. 

Delivering her speech, the new president said she intended to be “visible and accessible” throughout her five-year term. 

“I will not interfere or speak about everything. I will speak out whenever I feel there’s the need to do so. I wish the next five years to be a presidency of the people and for the people.”

Spiteri Debono highlighted the need for politics that seeks dialogue, persuasion and compromise. 

The president zeroed in on corruption, which she described as being worse than drug dependency and warned that the wounds around the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia are still open.

She also underlined the importance of integration and treating the media as the fourth pillar of democracy.

Ahead of the proceedings, the president-elect and her husband Anthony Spiteri Debono met well wishers who applauded her on the streets of the capital city. 

Earlier, she attended a Solemn Mass at St John's Co-Cathedral concelebrated by Archbishop Charles Scicluna.

The archbishop wished the president-elect the physical and mental strength to fulfil her duty "with joy, enthusiasm and with patience and humour that lessens the burden of your constitutional role".

He encouraged her to be a relief for the weak, to speak for the voiceless, and, in a nod to the debate around abortion and assisted dying, to "defend all life from the beginning of existence until its natural end".

Her daughter Elena Capel Cure and son George Spiteri Debono were among those who read at the Mass. 

People were invited to meet the president-elect during a walkabout. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

A 71-year-old woman, one of the supporters the president-elect greeted on the short walk, described her as someone who was "not for one side or the other, but she is on the side of Malta".

Another, Joe Bartolo, 77, said it was the third time he has come to St George's Square to celebrate the swearing-in of a new president. 

"I want to see it and be part of it," he said.

A Solemn Mass took place at St John's Co-Cathedral ahead of the swearing-in ceremony. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Among those attending the ceremony were prime minister Robert Abela, the leader of the opposition Bernard Grech, the speaker, the archbishop, chief justice Mark Chetcuti, former presidents and members of parliament. 

Prime Minister Robert Abela greets president-elect Myriam Spiteri Debono. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Later the president and her husband, together with her predecessor George Vella and his wife, waved to the crowds from the main Palace balcony.

The national anthem was played and the president inspected the guard of honour before watching a flypast by the air squadron of the Armed Forces.

She then travelled to San Anton Palace where she met staff and held an audience with the prime minister. 

In her first comments to journalists, Spiteri Debono thanked the Maltese and Gozitan people for their support and promised them that the support they received throughout other presidencies will continue. 

She also thanked the prime Minister and opposition leader for her appointment.

“It was historic that they managed to reach an agreement to change the law, and then, thank god, they agreed again,” she said.

Spiteri Debono was referring to the fact she was the first president to have been appointed since changes to the constitution in 2020 meant the president had to be chosen by a majority of at least two-thirds of the members of the House of Representatives.

She added it would have “not been pretty” if the government and opposition had amended the law, but then did not agree on a presidential candidate. 

Spiteri Debono, 71, a former Labour Party candidate, served as Speaker of the House during Alfred Sant's turbulent administration between 1996 and 1998. 

Opposition leader Bernard Grech, his wife AnneMarie, former prime minister Lawrence Gonzi and former president George Abela.

President-elect Myriam Spiteri Debono greeted by Birkirkara residents outside her home. Photo: DOI/Kian Bugeja

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters before giving his goodbyes to staff on Thursday morning, outgoing president George Vella said those working with him “became like family” over the last five years.  

 Similarly, his wife Miriam, visibly emotional and holding back tears. said: “These people have become close friends and always treated us with great respect”.

Outgoing president George Vella, right, with his wife, Miriam. Photo: Jonathan Borg