One should never keep the Queen waiting, but the monarch and the Prince of Wales were left wondering whether their guests – the new Commonwealth heads – would make it to the San Anton Palace this afternoon following the opening ceremony of Chogm in Malta.

Queen Elizabeth.

Queen Elizabeth. Image by Michael Gwyther-Jones / CC BY-SA 2.0

The Queen and Charles were left waiting for five minutes for some of the 10 new leaders to join them at an intimate drinks reception after most of them got caught up in traffic.

“Are you sure they’re here?” joked Charles as the Queen peered her head around the entrance to the Grand Master’s Hall where the reception was held.

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau and Nigeria’s president Muhammad Buhari were the first to arrive for the reception five minutes after the arrival of the royals.

A view over Valletta, Malta. Image by Berit Watkin / CC BY 2.0

A view over Valletta, Malta. Image by Berit Watkin / CC BY 2.0

Australian sparkling wine, pomegranate and orange juice from the Palace gardens and canapes were served to guests.

It is the first time the prince has joined the Queen for the biennial reception and he appeared confident and in good spirits as he sipped a tomato juice.

Charles chatted for at least 10 minutes with Mr Trudeau while the Queen talked with Mr Buhari.

Gradually other leaders arrived including Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Fiji, David Granger, Guyana, Arthur Peter Mutharika, Malawi, Dr Timothy Sylvester Harris, St Kitts and Nevis, Maithripala Sirisena, Sri Lanka, and Dr Keith Rowley, Trinidad and Tobago, who met with both the Queen and Charles.

Australia’s new prime minister Malcolm Turnbull was one of the last to arrive.

(Press Association)