Update 6.25pm: Mrs Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca seen above shortly before she took the Oath of Office as President of Malta in the Grand Council Chamber.

The ceremony of the inauguration of Malta’s ninth President is taking place this afternoon. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, first visited various localities, attended Solemn Mass at Dar tal-Providenza, and she will then journey to Valletta to take the oath of office.

The full programme of today’s event is listed below:

3.00pm Solemn Mass at Dar tal-Providenza, Siggiewi, celebrated by His Grace the Archbishop Mgr Paul Cremona, O.P.

4.10pm The President-Elect and Mr Preca arrive at the main square in Siggiewi to meet the local community.

4.40pm The President-Elect and Mr Preca arrive at St. George Parish Church Square to meet the local community.

5.05pm The President-Elect and Mr Preca arrive at St. Sebastian Parish Church Square to meet the local community.

5.30pm Guard of Honour of the Armed Forces of Malta marches from the Independence Monument, Floriana to St. George’s Square, Valletta.

5.35pm The President-Elect and Mr Preca arrive in Valletta.

The President-Elect and Mr Preca proceed on foot, together with a number of school children, from Palazzo Ferreria through Republic Street to The Palace, Valletta.

5.45pm Guard of Honour of the Armed Forces of Malta arrives at St. George’s Square.

5.55pm The President-Elect and Mr Preca arrive at The Palace and are greeted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta arrives at St. George’s Square and is accorded a General Salute.

5.58 The Prime Minister and Mrs Muscat arrive in St. George’s Square.

The Prime Minister is accorded a National Salute.

The Prime Minister and Mrs Muscat enter The Palace.

6.05pm The President and Mrs Abela arrive at St. George’s Square.

The President is accorded a National Salute.

The President inspects a Guard of Honour.

The President and Mrs Abela enter The Palace.

The House of Representatives is called to order in the Grand Council Chamber.

6.14pm The President of Malta meets the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President-Elect in the Pages Room.

The President of Malta, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President-Elect are escorted to the Grand Council Chamber.

The House of Representatives in sitting.

• Mrs Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca takes the Oath of Office as President of Malta.

• The President signs the Oath and the Speaker countersigns it.

• The Armed Forces of Malta fire a twenty-one gun salute from Fort St. Elmo.

• The President of Malta reads the Proclamation and signs it.

• The Clerk of the House asks the Prime Minister to countersign the Proclamation.

• The Speaker of the House adjourns the sitting of the House of Representatives.

6.20pm The President of Malta delivers her speech.

The President of Malta H.E. Mrs Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and Mr Preca, together with President Emeritus Dr. George Abela and Mrs Abela proceed to the main balcony of The Palace.

The President of Malta H.E. Mrs Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca together with the Prime Minister Dr. Joseph Muscat, the Leader of the Opposition and the chairperson of Alternattiva Demokratika proceed to the main balcony of The Palace.

The President of Malta H.E. Mrs Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and Mr Preca, together with President Emeritus Dr. George Abela and Mrs Abela, the Prime Minister and Mrs Muscat, the Archbishop, Chief Justice and Mrs Camilleri, the Speaker of the House Presidents Emeriti and their spouses proceed to the Ambassadors’ Room.

6.30pm The President signs the appointment letter as Head of the Xirka Gieh ir-Repubblika and the National Order of Merit together with the conferment of Companion of Honour of the Order.

6.55pm The Guard of Honour forms up in St. George’s Square.

7pm The President and Mr Preca meet guests in The Palace courtyard.

7.10pm,The President of Malta H.E. Mrs Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and Mr Preca together with the Prime Minister and Mrs Muscat are escorted by the Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta out of The Palace to St. George’s Square.

The President is accorded a National Salute and inspects a Guard of Honour.

Flypast by the Air Wing of the Armed Forces of Malta

7.15pm President of Malta H.E. Mrs Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and Mr Preca are escorted by the Mounted Police to the War Memorial in Floriana.

Wreath laying Ceremony – War Memorial, Floriana

The President places a wreath on the Memorial

The Prime Minister and Mrs Muscat will be present for the wreath laying ceremony.

7.25pm The President and Mr Preca proceed to San Anton Palace, Attard.

7.35pm The President and Mr Preca arrive at San Anton Palace where they meet for the first time the staff of the Presidential Palace.

7.45pm The Prime Minister pays a courtesy call on The President at San Anton Palace.

8pm The Leader of the Opposition pays a courtesy call on The President at San Anton Palace.

8.15pm The Chairperson of Alternattiva Demokratika pays a courtesy call on The President at San Anton Palace.

Photograph of Mrs Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca shortly before taking the oath: DOI – Reuben Piscopo

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