ROYAL SALE: The Queen and Prince Philip's first marital home goes under the hammer
The mansion which served the then Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip with a number of heartfelt memories for three years of their marriage will be transformed into a tourist attraction.
Villa Guardamangia was a royal residence for the newlywed Princess between 1949 and 1951 before she became Queen.
While her husband served as a Royal Navy officer with the Mediterranean Fleet, the royal spent her time on the island, before her coronation in 1953 following her father’s unexpected death.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat announced the purchase of the property in parliament late on Tuesday - with plans to turn it into a stunning attraction for royal fans eager to get a glimpse into the life of Queen Elizabeth.
The beautiful villa boasts a large terrace and garden and stands on top of a hill overlooking Malta’s second harbour Marsamxett.
READ MORE: Got $10 million? The Queen and Prince Philip’s first marital home is for sale
It sprawls over 1,560sq and also boasts two garages, stables and cellars and servants quarters.
The Queen has been open about her affections of Malta and her former home and was presented with a special painting of the building when she was in Malta again in 2015.
“Visiting Malta is always very special for me. I remember happy days here with Prince Philip when we were first married,” she said during her visit.
It is understood the Monarch enjoyed a normal and ordinary life on the island, prior to her coronation.
She also celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary there in 2007.
Both the Queen and Prince Philip were saddened in 2015 when they were unable to visit the villa, which she’d said looked “rather sad now”.
Former Maltese President Marie Louise Coleiro gifted the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh a watercolour of Villa Guardamangia during the trip, to remind them of their stay.
Scroll through the gallery above to see the former home of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.