Meghan Markle’s enthusiasm was palpable as she touched down in Malta, a land that holds a special place in her ancestry.
The trip was a heartfelt journey to explore her roots and reconnect with her heritage.
“The trip was mostly about trying to understand where I come from, my identity,” Meghan shared after her brief three-day visit. “There is something so lovely about fitting in a piece of the puzzle. It felt like home.”
Contrasting Visits: Malta vs. Nigeria
To clarify, this journey to Malta was not the recent high-profile visit to Nigeria, where the Duchess of Sussex, who recently discovered she is 43% Nigerian, expressed her gratitude to the locals for “welcoming me home” to “my country.”
This Malta trip, now largely forgotten, occurred in 2015, just a year before Meghan’s first date with Prince Harry.
During this time, she was still known primarily as an actress from the TV series Suits. Her visit was aimed at exploring her ancestry in “the land from which my great-grandmother hailed.”
Discovering Malta: A Warm Welcome
Reflecting on her visit, Meghan remarked, “Before I came, people were telling me, ‘When you go to Malta, everyone will look like you,’ and I started to say, ‘Oh my gosh, I do sort of blend in,’ and it’s the loveliest feeling.
The Maltese people have been so kind.” Her trip, by all accounts, was a delightful experience, featuring stays at a luxury boutique hotel, a vineyard tour, and an impromptu photoshoot in traditional attire—all organized by Malta’s tourist board.
Meghan’s Ancestral Mystery
Meghan’s ancestry, particularly on her father’s side, remains somewhat convoluted, even for genealogists, due to sparse documentation and fading memories. This visit to Malta aimed to shed light on her European roots.
In 2015, at 33 years old, Meghan was commissioned to write an article about her Malta trip for Elle magazine.
However, she chose instead to focus on her experiences in the U.S. and her journey of self-discovery as a mixed-race woman.
The Malta trip was only briefly mentioned on her now-defunct lifestyle blog, The Tig, where she praised the island’s hospitality and cuisine.
The Maltese Adventure
During her Malta sojourn, those she encountered had no inkling that Meghan would soon become a global figure. Kurt Arrigo, the Maltese photographer who accompanied Meghan on her tour, recalled, “To be honest, I had no idea who she was when I met her.
Her fame wasn’t what it is now.
I knew she was an actress but I had never watched Suits. She was a bit guarded at first but it became easier as time went on and she relaxed.”
Meghan stayed at Casa Ellul, a newly opened luxury boutique hotel in Valletta.
Co-owner Matthew Ellul fondly remembered, “She was a very nice lady, very outgoing. She was interested in food and wine. She had a fabulous time.”
Exploring Valletta and Beyond
Meghan’s visit included a tour of Valletta, where she marveled at the Baroque beauty of St John’s Co-Cathedral, especially Caravaggio’s masterpieces. She also visited Casa Rocca Piccola, a stunning 500-year-old palace, where she tried on a traditional Maltese cloak. Her guide, Clive Cortis, described Meghan as “very down-to-earth, fun, and humble.”
Ancestral Discoveries and Misconceptions
While Meghan believed her great-grandmother, Gertrude Merrill, held the key to her Maltese connection, it was actually her great-great-grandmother, Mary Bird, who was born in Malta in the mid-19th century.
Her British father, Thomas Bird, was stationed in Malta as a foot soldier. After several years on the island, the Bird family moved to Canada, and eventually to the U.S.
Culinary Delights and Fond Memories
During her stay, Meghan enjoyed the local cuisine, sampling dishes like sheep milk cheeselettes and spaghetti with rabbit. She wrote about the island’s food on The Tig, calling herself a “California girl foodie” and praising the local delicacies.
Photographer Kurt Arrigo, who spent two days with Meghan, recalled how she spoke affectionately about her father, a lighting director in the film industry, and mentioned her divorce from director Trevor Engelson.
Promises to Return
Meghan left a heartfelt handwritten note for the Ellul brothers, promising to return. Although her life changed dramatically after meeting Prince Harry, the memory of her Maltese visit remains cherished.
Matthew Ellul occasionally shows Meghan’s card to guests, reminiscing, “I think she had a great time here. But soon after, she met Prince Harry, and since then, I think she’s been quite busy. As far as I know, she hasn’t been back.”
Conclusion: A Fleeting Yet Meaningful Connection
Meghan Markle’s visit to Malta was a poignant exploration of her roots, a journey filled with cultural discoveries and personal reflections.
Though brief, the trip provided her with a deeper connection to her heritage, an experience that added a meaningful chapter to her life story.
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