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Queen Elizabeth has her fair share of real estate: Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Sandringham in Norfolk, Balmoral in the Scottish Highlands, and Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland. But before she became queen and inherited all of these grand properties, she and Prince Philip lived in an idyllic home in Malta.
Villa Guardamangia—which is now up for sale—dates back to the early 1900s. Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth lived there from 1949 to 1951 while Philip was stationed with the Royal Navy; the home was rented by Prince Philip’s uncle.
It’s said that, during this brief interval, the royal couple was able to enjoy a relatively normal life out of the spotlight. “Visiting Malta is always very special for me. I remember happy days here with Prince Philip when we were first married,” Queen Elizabeth said when returning to the island in 2015. At the time, the prime minister of Malta gifted the monarch a watercolor painting of the villa.
What’s it like inside of their former residence? The palazzo-style property boasts views of Marsamxett Harbour and a lush garden stretching over 10,000 square feet. Inside, there are six bedrooms, a lounge, a dining room, a living room, and a sala nobile (a fanciful room traditionally meant for gatherings).
The grand home also features guest and servant quarters, stables, and historic structural features: think neoclassical stone pillars, towering ceilings, and an expansive porch.
It’s located on the outskirts of Valletta, the Maltese capital. A walled city filled with baroque-style architecture and cobblestone streets, Valletta is known for its ornate churches and delectable Mediterranean cuisine.
Over the years, Villa Guardamangia has fallen into disrepair. The BBC reports that there’s a debate about whether the government should restore the property or if that should be left up to a private owner.
One thing is for certain: it’s a special place, especially in royal history.
