In a corner of Sliema, a beloved princess' memory lives on

Decades after his chance encounter with Lady Diana, Frankie Cutajar is still having a right royal time running the Lady Di Pub, says Fiona Vella. “You wouldn’t survive in this business if you are not brought up in it since childhood. It is just too demanding and it takes up your life completely,” insists Frankie Cutajar, the owner of Lady Di Pub in Tignè Street, Sliema.“On the other hand, if the seed of entertainment has been nurtured in your blood from an early age, it is difficult to let go of such an engaging and colourful world,” he says, as he laughs heartily and pours a tin of golden beer into a large glass for a client. Cutajar hails from Valletta. Two of his family members are the renowned late musician Oscar Lucas and popular singer Joe Cutajar.“Back in the old days, their cheerful attitude and exquisite talent used to light up the thrilling atmosphere of Strait Street. I can still remember the time when 10,000 foreign soldiers sought that area in Valletta each week and all those who had a business there, concocted new ways to attract them to their locale.“My uncle Oscar Lucas played in various venues. Together with Jimmy Grech (also known as Jimmy l-Irish), he owned...