List of monarchs of Malta
The Mediterranean islands of Malta and Gozo have been ruled by Phoenician, Byzantine and Roman aristocrats, before passing to various European monarchies. Foreign monarchical rule over Malta lasted a total of 874 years. The Crown of Malta was "patriated" for the first time in 1964, with the achievement of Independence. The history, languages and culture of Malta and Sicily share many key events, including occupation by the Fatimids and an invasion by Roger I of Sicily in 1091. The islands parted ways in a decisive and permanent manner in 1799, when Malta became a British  Crown colony. British rule over Malta lasted 165 years and for a further 10 years, Malta retained the British monarch as its own independent head of state. Malta adopted a Republican constitution in 1974 and joined the European Union on 1 May 2004. Kingdom of Sicily and County of Malta. From the years 1090 and 1530, the Maltese Islands were a non-autonomous part of the Kingdom of Sicily and thus had the same sovereign. At this time the Nobility of Malta resided in or around Mdina. A strong cultural (and, to a lesser extent, political) connection to Sicily survived  from 1530 to 1798 throughout the 268-year rule over Malta by the Knights Hospitaller. In terms of the regional divisions of the islands, Malta Island was part the "Valle di Mazzara" province, Gozo was part of the "Valle di Demona" province and Comino was part of the "Valle di Noto" province. Knights Hospitaller (1530–1798). Although the Knights Hospitaller ruled Malta as sovereign princes, they held that privilege as a fiefdom, paying a tribute of the Maltese Falcon annually to the Viceroys of Sicily, payable on the feast of All Souls' Day. British Crown (1799–1964). House of Windsor. "The house  name Windsor was adopted in 1917, during the First World War. It was changed from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha because of wartime anti-German sentiment. The heirs of Elizabeth II, by royal proclamation, will remain part of the House of Windsor (even though their legal surname is Mountbatten-Windsor)." Maltese Crown (1964–1974). When Malta acquired independence from the United Kingdom on 21 September 1964, Elizabeth II became the head of state and Queen of Malta. On 13 December 1974, Malta became a republic, with the President of Malta as its head of state.