he ended his career on a high note by being appointed to the office of governor of malta in january 1894. during his time on the island, fremantle became a popular governor, presiding over political decisions such as the matter of mixed and non-catholic marriages, and the issue of the payment of reparations to the maltese ecclesiastical authorities from the napoleonic wars. in 1897, fremantle renamed the line of fortifications that was under construction the victoria lines to commemorate the diamond jubilee of queen victoria. in november 1898, he hosted a visit to the island by the german emperor, kaiser william ii, who arrived in valletta on board his personal yacht, the "hohenzollern", upon which governor fremantle joined the kaiser for dinner.