The Mediterranean isle is bound to come up when Prince Harry’s grandmother and wife spend time together carrying out a series of engagements on Thursday.

And this is because both the Queen and Meghan have a strong affinity with Malta.

The monarch was officially the Queen of Malta from 1964 to 1974 and has always had a soft spot for the island after she lived there with Prince Philip when he was stationed there with the Royal Navy.

Lady Pamela Hicks, the daughter of Earl Mounbatten of Burma and one of the Queen’s bridesmaids, previously revealed Malta was the only place a young Queen Elizabeth could lead a "normal live".

She said: “The Queen really loved living in Malta because she was able to lead a normal life, wander through the town and do some shopping.

“It was the only place that she was able to live the life of a naval officer’s wife, just like all the other wives.

“It was wonderful for her and it’s why they have such a nostalgia for Malta.”

While Meghan’s ties with the nation trace back years and in 2015 she went on a emotional trip to Malta to learn more about her great-great grandmother, Mary Bird, who was born in Valletta in the late 1880s. 1 of 17

The Queen and Meghan Markle's best moments - in pictures

She told local food blog Little Rock at the time: “The trip was mostly about trying to understand where I come from, my identity. There is something so lovely about fitting in a piece of the puzzle.

“Before I went, 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. People have been so kind.”

The Duchess of Sussex will set off on a royal ride with the Queen on Wednesday before the pair arrive at Runcorn Station on Thursday morning.

Such an occasion marks the first time Meghan will attend an event with the Queen alone. The Queen has a soft spot for Malta after living their with Prince Philip (Image: GETTY ) Meghan joined the Queen for her birthday celebrations at Trooping The Colour (Image: GETTY )

Meghan and the UK’s longest-serving monarch will attend a range of events in Cheshire, including opening the Mersey Gateway Bridge and Storyhouse Theatre.

Both will then attend a lunch at Chester Town Hall as part of the engagement.

The nine-carriage Royal Train has been used since 1842 when Queen Victoria became the first British monarch to move around using the rail.

The Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Camilla are all entitled to ride the Royal rail, but Prince Harry or the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have never used it on an official basis.

In addition to featuring carriages with dining and lounging facilities, there are also areas for sleeping.

The train also features a bath that the Queen has used many times.

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