Queen hints at Charles soon becoming the next head of the Commonwealth as she praises the Prince of Wales in Malta

The Queen has thanked the Prince of Wales for his support and 'great distinction' in what could be her final speech as head of the Commonwealth.

Her words of praise hint that Charles could soon take over the role, which she has held for more than 60 years.

She also praised the Duke of Edinburgh for his 'boundless energy and commitment' in her opening address at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) in Malta.

The Queen spoke fondly of the time she spent on the island with her husband as a newly-married couple and added: 'Prince Philip and I first came to live here in 1949, the same year in which the Commonwealth was founded.'

The monarch also praised the Duke of Edinburgh for his 'boundless energy and commitment' in her opening address at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta

 ... Nor could I wish to have been better supported and represented in the Commonwealth than by The Prince of Wales who continues to give so much to it with great distinction'

She said she has 'cherished' her time as leader of the Commonwealth.

'I feel enormously proud of what the Commonwealth has achieved, and all of it within my lifetime,' she added.

'For more than six decades of being head of the Commonwealth, a responsibility I have cherished, I have had the fortune of the constancy of the Duke of Edinburgh.

'To that, and to his many other Commonwealth associations, Prince Philip has brought boundless energy and commitment, for which I am indebted.

'Nor could I wish to have been better supported and represented in the Commonwealth than by The Prince of Wales who continues to give so much to it with great distinction.'

The Queen said she has 'cherished' her time as leader of the Commonwealth - a role she has held for more than 60 years.

She concluded by thanking the Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma 'for his own eight years of dedicated service'.

The Queen wore a dark purple silk dress under a light blue woven coat and black gloves. The outfit was completed with a matching hat, designed by Angela Kelly.

The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond are among leaders from 53 nations attending the two-day summit.

David Cameron has announced plans to set up a Commonwealth unit targeting the extremist 'scourge' that is fuelling international terrorism.

He has pledged £5million to help countries find new ways of stopping 'poisonous ideologies' from taking hold.

The Queen, who is accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, will host a reception for new Commonwealth leaders.

The event will feature more than 360 artists and performers, including the Maltese Philharmonic Orchestra and tenor Joseph Calleja.

The Royals will continue their tour of Malta and are due to attend a banquet at the Corinthia Palace Hotel in Valletta this evening.