21-26 November 2005
Entered Grand Harbour, accompanied by HMS Exeter, in ceremonial support of Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Malta for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. HMS Illustrious revived a naval tradition of firing a 21-gun salute, thereby signalling the ships’ peaceful intentions by entering host country’s port with unloaded guns. The salute was returned from shore by a group of Maltese re-enactors. Despite the tight security, HMS Illustrious was open to visitors on the 23rd for a visit by the Malta Aviation Society, and on the 25th to the general public.