month-long overseas tour during the first hour of their arrival in Bermuda yesterday.

Hundreds greeted the Royal couple at the Civil Air Terminal, where the Queen surprised many people by making an impromptu stop to talk to the crowds of children assembled by the gate.

And there were thousands of locals, tourists and schoolchildren waiting in King's Square in St. George's 30 minutes later.

Again the Queen and Prince Philip made a point of stopping to talk to children before moving on to their next engagement.

The Queen's Press Officer Mr. Charles Anson said: "As far as the Queen is concerned part of the purpose of these visits is to meet as many people as possible, not simply the leaders of the country.'' The Royal couple stepped off the plane on time at 2.30 p.m. to cheers from the crowd on both sides of the Airport fence. The Queen was wearing a turquoise dress with white spots. She was wearing a wide turquoise hat with a white band and a single white rose. Her gloves, shoes and handbag were all white.

She also wore a triple stranded pearl necklace, a platinum and diamond brooch and single pearl and diamond earrings.

Governor Lord Waddington met the couple at the bottom of the aircraft steps and then introduced them to the Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan and other dignitaries. The Queen took the salute from the Bermuda Regiment Band before meeting MPs and the Chief Justice, the Hon. Mr. Justice Ward.

During the surprise stop the Queen accepted flowers from a number of children including 11-year-old Kelly DeSilva who handed over a bunch of freesia. Kelly said: "She asked if they were for her and told me it was very kind. I don't know what I'll tell my mother.'' Kelly was part of a group of children from the Mount Saint Agnes Environment Group, set up to teach students about "green matters''.

Five-year-old James Lee handed over a cedar plaque with a pattern of shells.

His delighted father Mr. Richard Lee sported a Union Jack cap.

Also in the crowd was Ms Ann Smith Gordon who designed commemorative stamps for the visit. Ms Gordon has been invited to the private dinner at Government House tonight. "It is the most exciting invitation of my life,'' she said.

Riding in the Governor's Daimler with four Police riders in white uniforms in front and behind, the couple set off for St. George's.

An estimated two to three thousand people gave the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh a rousing welcome to a sun-kissed King's Square. Schoolchildren armed with mini Union Jacks had the best vantage point -- just in front of the security barriers.

A huge roar went up as the Queen and the Duke stepped from the limousine, and were introduced to local VIPs. Among them were St. George's Mayor the Wor.

Henry Hayward, and local Opposition MPs Mr. Leon (Jimmy) Williams and Ms Jennifer Smith.

There too were United Bermuda Party MP Mr. Rick Spurling, and his wife, Jane.

The Queen entered the Town Hall and signed the visitors' book.

Another cheer rang out as, accompanied by her husband, she walked around the square.

It was a dream come true for three women from Newfoundland, Canada. Pressed against the security barriers, they were thrilled when the Queen paused for a brief chat.

The trio -- school pals -- have had many shared moments, but this one topped the lot.

"She asked me where I was from, and I said Newfoundland,'' exclaimed Ms Douglass Frampton, here on holiday with Ms Lorraine Simmons and Ms Bertha Gruchy. She then asked how the weather was, and was it cold. I said it was freezing.'' Asked how the Queen looked, the three chimed in: "She was absolutely beautiful!'' Added Mrs. Frampton: "Her complexion is just lovely. She looks much better than in pictures. I will remember the moment for the rest of my life. It was unforgettable.'' Meeting Royalty outside the Town Hall will also be etched forever in the memory of St. George's South MP Mr. Spurling.

"She asked me what exactly were we representatives of, and I explained to her about St. George's and the two constituencies.

"The Duke of Edinburgh then asked if we lived in the town. When I said we lived within the parish, he replied `I bet you don't have to pay Corporation tax'.'' Mr. Spurling recalled a Royal quip when he and the two Opposition St. George's North MPs, Mr. Williams and Ms Smith, were introduced to the Duke.

"He said `please don't have a fight right now'.'' Children from St. David's School had a chance to speak to the couple as they walked around the square. Nine-year-old Quinae Fox said: "I told her she was beautiful. She looked real pretty.'' George O'Brien, 9, Tyler Fox and Stevie Trott, both 10, excitedly told the Queen where their school was, while Ashley Barnett, 8, asked for the names of her horses! For 85-year-old John DeShield and his wife, Edna, 83, of Palmetto Road, Pembroke, it was their second brush with Royalty.

The last time was when the couple arrived here in 1953, said World War Two veteran Mr. DeShield.

Mr. DeShield, celebrating 61 years of marriage, was proudly decked out in coat and tails for the occasion.

Three friends from Maine were also lapping up the occasion. Ms Nina Oatley, Ms Pauline Langmaid, and Mrs. Sandra Cheney work for local government back home, and were fascinated by Bermuda's pageantry.

Mr. Michael Schwartz, who lives in London but hails from New York, also revelled in the pomp and ceremony. "We don't have anything like this in the States. I love it.'' At Tucker House, the Queen was greeted by National Trust president Mr. David L. White and Trust director Ms Amanda Outerbridge, who introduced her to Mrs.

Maud Carlington, chief guide at Tucker House and Mr. Hugh Davidson, chairman of the Trust's museum committee.

Inside, the Queen signed the visitors' book, toured the main rooms, the kitchen and the Trust's new archaeological exhibit in the basement where she was introduced to Mr. Henry Ming, chairman of the Trust's historic building's committee.

Mr. White then escorted the Queen out a side door to the garden where he introduced her to National Trust staff.

"The Queen was very interested in the house,'' Mr. White said later. "She was very interested in the Tucker family, the architecture, the portraits and Bermudian furniture.'' While the Queen continued to tour the historic Old Town, Prince Philip headed for the Biological Station, and the latest in high-tech communications.

Watched by about 100 children from Island schools, aged 10 to 15, he took part in a live link-up with scientists in Belize.

The transmission was a demonstration of the Jason Project, which enables students all over the world to view the work of scientists as it happens.

The Prince spoke by phone to project founder Dr. Robert Ballard, whose rainforest study he visited during the Belize section of the Royal tour.

As the children watched on giant video screens, he took control of a joystick, connected by satellite to a robot camera in the rainforest.

As he moved the joystick, the camera thousands of miles away panned across the jungle and zoomed in on plants. The pictures were beamed back onto the giant Bio Station screens.

The Prince, president of the World Wide Fund for Nature, was commended by Dr.

Ballard for his work to help protect the world's rainforests.

"This sort of project ought to help,'' the Prince replied.

He was then taken to the Bio Station dock for a tour of its research ship Weatherbird and equipment used in global warming studies.

On board he met Saltus student Roderick Ferguson, who worked in Belize with the project.

The station's Dr. Tony Michaels, a global warming specialist, was also on board for Prince Philip's visit.

"He had some good questions,'' he said. "He seems aware of a lot of the issues we're addressing, especially coral reefs.'' Many Bermudians took the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Her Majesty as she was driven from the Old Town to Government House.

Individuals and small groups dotted the route, with a heavy concentration at the Airport, who were lucky enough to see the Royal party arrive, move off, and less than an hour later, pass by in the other direction.

At Shelly Bay, a small crowd had gathered to applaud the Royal motorcade, but Flatts Bridge saw a heavy throng, more than 300 strong, which slowed the progress of the vehicles.

All along the North Shore, clusters of people stood waving flags and cheering the Queen.

HAPPY TO BE HERE -- The Queen's sunny smile matches the beautiful weather as she holds a bouquet presented by schoolgirl Nitra Tucker at the Airport.

UNDERWATER INTEREST -- The Duke of Edinburgh is shown part of the hi-technology equipment at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research.

Pictured (from left to right) are global warming specialist Dr. Tony Michaels, 14-year-old Roderick Ferguson who is involved in the Jason Project and Station Director Dr. Tony Knap.

QUEEN IN KING'S SQUARE -- The Queen stops to talk to children who were allowed to sit in front of the crush barriers in the crowded centre of St. George's.

ST. GEORGE'S WALKABOUT -- The Queen and the Mayor of St. George's the Wor.

Henry Hayward, accompanied by Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan, enter Water Street.

CLOSE INSPECTION -- The Queen inspects the Bermuda Regiment guard at the Civil Air Terminal yesterday.