The Committee of Privileges of the Maltese Nobility is an association for deciding succession, new titles, and general issues concerning the recognised titles of nobility of Malta. The committee was formed in 1882. The titles were originally granted between 1350 and 1796 by diverse European monarchs, or by the Grand Masters of the Knights of Malta. A British Colonial Royal Commission decided which of these titles were to be accepted, and on its conclusion, 32 titles of Count, Marquis, and Baron were acknowledged by the British Government for usage in Malta and the British Empire.
When Malta became a republic in 1974, the Committee went into abeyance; but it was revived nearly a decade afterwards. The titles are still retained socially, but have no legal significance, particularly as many of the bearers of the titles live outside Malta, typically in other Commonwealth countries or the United States. The Committee secures succession and heritage of the titles. See also Maltese Nobility for a listing of titles and history.
Presidents of the Committee (Incomplete List)
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