straining to get a glimpse of the many arriving dignitaries during the annual Queen's Birthday Parade ceremonies.

With the morning sun casting its golden, skin-caressing rays over the marching units from the Bermuda Regiment, the HMS Norfolk , the Bermuda Cadet Corps and the Bermuda Police cadets, it was truly a day made for pageantry.

Particularly impressive were the men of the Bermuda Regiment who were immaculately turned out in their ceremonial summer uniform.

Their starched white jackets and gloves, contrasted well with their black and red trousers and highly polished drill boots.

Amid all the flashing cameras and screams from loved ones they stood motionless awaiting instructions from parade commander Major Patrick Outerbridge.

His Excellency, dressed in a white uniform with a blue sash and Lady Waddington, arrived by horse drawn carriage with a Police escort at the foot of the flagpole.

Together with his aide-de-camp Capt. Edward Lamb, Commanding Officer of the Bermuda Regiment Lt. Col. David Burch, Maj. Outerbridge, Royal Navy Commander Robin Bawtree and Police Commissioner Mr. Lennett Edwards, His Excellency inspected the units.

The Governor then led the official ceremony in honour of the Queen.

This involved the unfurling of the Royal Standard which is usually only done in the Queen's presence.

The parade unit then marched around in file, before the assembled dignitaries and returned to their starting points.

Next, the Bermuda Regiment soldiers performed the symbolic"feu de joie'' or the fire of joy, sequentially, in concert with a 21-gun salute from Albouy's Point.

Then His Excellency led the three cheers for the Queen.

As usual, the ceremony again brought out the crowds with visitors thoroughly enjoying the event.

Ms Lynn Grabau, who is visiting the Island from Boston, was impressed with what she saw.

"It was really moving,'' she said. "It's always nice to see people showing respect for things. There's not a lot of that going around these days.'' Sister Gloria Jones, a nun and member of the Sisters of Mercy from Princeton, New Jersey, was equally delighted by the ceremony. It was Jones' third visit to Bermuda.

"I thought it was wonderful,'' she said. "This is my third visit. When I came for my last two visits I saw the ceremony both times.

"They have maintained the standard they set last year and the year before.'' Bermudian Mrs. Anne Pearlman who now lives in Long Island said the ceremony would definitely be one of the highlights of her vacation.

"I never saw the parade when I was living here,'' she explained. "But it was absolutely great. I just love all the pomp and circumstance.

"It is definitely nice to be back home.''