On 23 June 2026, the Permanent Observer Mission of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the United Nations hosted its second Annual Diplomatic Dinner in New York City, held in support of the Mission’s internship programme.
Ambassador Beresford-Hill and the Mission team were delighted to welcome guests from all three of the Order of Malta’s Associations in the United States, members of the diplomatic community in New York, and many friends and supporters of the Mission.
The evening’s guest speaker was Ambassador Catherine Royle, Principal of Somerville College, Oxford University, and former British Ambassador to Venezuela, Deputy Ambassador to Afghanistan, and Senior Political Adviser to NATO. Speaking on the theme “Keeping Cool and Keeping Faith in a Crisis-Driven World,” Ambassador Royle reflected on a distinguished diplomatic career spanning nearly four decades and shared insights drawn from some of the most significant geopolitical developments of recent history.
Drawing on her experiences across Latin America, the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Europe, Ambassador Royle recounted her involvement in events ranging from Chile’s transition from dictatorship to democracy and the development of United Kingdom policy on Iraq, to advising NATO on Afghanistan and European security following the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine. Through a series of engaging recollections and personal anecdotes, she offered guests a rare glimpse into the realities of diplomatic life and emphasised the importance of resilience, perseverance, and a strong sense of purpose in addressing complex international challenges and serving those most in need.
Ambassador Royle also reflected on the important role that faith-based organisations play in challenging political and humanitarian settings. Drawing on experiences from throughout her career, she praised their unique ability to advance human dignity and human rights, often working quietly behind the scenes, yet at other times serving as highly visible agents of positive change. She emphasised that their contribution has been significant in the past, remains vital today, and will continue to be so in the future.
Guests were then given the opportunity to engage directly with Ambassador Royle during an insightful question-and-answer session.
Attendees also heard from several of the Mission’s current Diplomatic Trainees, who spoke about their experiences working at the United Nations. They highlighted the unique opportunities afforded by the internship programme, including participation in UN meetings, engagement with diplomats and UN officials from around the world, support for high-level conferences and events, including UN High-Level Week, and contributions to the Mission’s substantive diplomatic work through research, reporting, and speech drafting. Their remarks underscored the programme’s role in equipping young professionals with the skills, experience, and international perspective needed for future careers in diplomacy, humanitarian affairs, and international development.
The Mission extends its sincere gratitude to all donors, sponsors, and guests whose generosity and support made the evening such a success. Their contributions ensure the continued growth of the internship programme and help strengthen the Mission’s work at the United Nations in advancing the humanitarian mission of the Order of Malta and serving vulnerable communities around the world.
