As Colonel-in-Chief of the Bermuda Regiment, her Royal Highness, Birgitte the Duchess of Gloucester presented the Regiment with its new Colours on Saturday before a jubilant crowd at the National Sports stadium.

Addressing the Regiment, the Duchess announced: "I am well aware of the battle honours these represent — Colours won by your predecessors in two World Wars, when the security of my country was so bravely supported by every corner of the British Empire."

Marching down to the stadium from the Police field at 10.30 am, the Guard Commanders took their positions in the centre to applause from the standing crowd, followed by the Guards on parade.

To music from the band, they took their positions under the command of Regimental Sergeant Major Gavin Lee, who handed the parade over to Adjutant Captain Chris Gauntlett.

The crowd stood again as Premier Paula Cox, dressed in black with a black hat, was seated by the dais alongside Bishop of Bermuda Patrick White, Imam Basim Muwwakkil of the Masjid Muhammad and Bishop of Hamilton Dr. Robert Kurtz.

The ceremony was then handed over to Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Brian Gonsalves. The approach of the Royal entourage was announced by the starting booms of the 21 gun salute.

Rolling smoke, the two guns fired from a position above the north end of the field. Each shot brought a murmur from the crowd, and younger spectators covered their ears.

The crowd rose as, accompanied by Governor Sir Richard Gozney and aide-de-camp Major Christopher Wheddon, the Duchess of Gloucester, dressed in a pale blue coat and hat, exited her vehicle and was welcomed to the dais by Honourary Colonel of the Regiment Col. Eugene Raynor.

Her Royal Highness's first order of business was an inspection of the troops and she could be seen exchanging a few words with members of the Regiment while the band played 'Amaryllis' and the guns were wheeled back out of the stadium.

Then to a slow march from the band, the Bermuda Regiment's old Colours — which were presented in 1990 by the late Princess Margaret — were Trooped for the final time and marched past the dais.

Following a presentations of arms, the retiring Colours, a Union Jack flag and the Bermuda's Regiment's traditional blue flag, were marched off to the sound of 'Auld Lang Syne'.

The new Colours were unfurled, and Quartermaster Captain Benjamin laid them into position before they were consecrated by the Bishop of Bermuda, as Imam Muwwakkil and Bishop Kurtz stood by.

At 11.40 am, the new Colours were raised, after which Duchess gave a brief address to the Regiment.

"In 2009, the year of your great 400th anniversary, the Queen visited Bermuda, and today I'm delighted to bring her Majesty's warmest good wishes to everyone.

"A year on, I am so pleased to come to Bermuda myself with the very special task of presenting new Colours to my Regiment.

"To those outside the military circle, Regimental Colours represent an archaic remnant of that era when soldiers needed a flag to identify their battlefield location.

"Yet, to those who have an appreciation of these matters, traditions have an important role today.

"These traditions help to make the members of the Regiment feel that they are part of a tight-knit group, composed not just of those who have shared their recent training, but also of their predecessors, and indeed the previous generations who have over time created the spirit of the Regiment."

She called on the Regiment to remember its past, because in the future its members could be called upon, and praised Bermuda's "hard-won battle honours from two World Wars".

In modern military thinking, she said, it was not numbers that mattered, but quality and ability.

She noted the Bermuda Regiment's special expertise in tackling hurricanes as well as maintaining the Island's security and finished: "It is with a feeling of complete trust, and a sense of honour, that I present new Colours to the Bermuda Regiment on this splendid occasion."

In his reply, Lt. Col. Gonsalves said: "Throughout history, men and women have created signs and emblems as a means to show their allegiance to their rulers, clans and brotherhoods.

"With these emblems, they were duty-bound to uphold the laws, values, customs and traditions of the institutions with which they are affiliated.

"The Colours of the Bermuda Regiment are the symbol of our duty toward our Regiment and Country.

"As the lyrics of our Regimental march profess, Bermuda is the home of Regimental pride, and to our flag we will forever be true.

"We the soldiers of the Bermuda Regiment conduct ourselves with the utmost integrity, duty, honour, courage and pride, and will continue to perform our duties with pride for many, many years to come.

"Your Royal Highness, I can confirm the Bermuda Regiment will secure and protect these, our new Colours, with the greatest pride, respect and diligence."

A visibly emotional former soldier, John Antionio Morley, 62, watched the final departure of dignitaries.

He said: "I did 29 years in the army reserves. After all that, it's important for me to be here for this. The new Colours look pretty, and I know that any time something should happen, I will be back to serve."

After the ceremony Premier Cox said: "The presentation was both moving and poignant, especially as we listened and heard the words and the important significance of the colours and all that they represent in terms of the duty, honour and country.

"It was even more moving personally given recent events. The people of Bermuda loved their Regiment and appreciated the elegant perfection of their various drills and parades, as well as the always melodic precision of the Regiment Band.

"That was wonderful to witness. I was both awed and proud.

"Bermuda appreciated that HRH, the Duchess of Gloucester, GCVO took the time to participate at this Consecration Service, and the representation of the various clergy in the Service:

"The Right Reverend Dr. Patrick White, Bishop of Bermuda, Anglican diocese; The Most Reverend Robert J. Kurtz, Bishop of Hamilton;

"The Roman Catholic Diocese and Imam Basim Muwwakkil, Masjid Muhammed provided an environment of community that bodes well for our people."