reception Her Majesty and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, have received in Bermuda. It seems to us that the public turnout for the visit has far exceeded what was expected before the Queen arrived at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

There were those who wondered before the visit whether the Royal magic would still hold true or whether what the Queen has called the "annus horribilis'' had put an end to public enthusiasm. There had been indications in the media that the Royal reception in some of the islands to our south had been somewhat reduced. Not so in Bermuda.

A warm reception at set events is to be expected because people who are enthusiastic gravitate to those events. But crowds on sidewalks to watch a waving couple pass in a closed car are the true indication of a warm welcome.

St. George's on Tuesday afternoon and Hamilton and Dockyard yesterday were the real proof that Bermuda's welcome was genuine. There was a thrill in the air and excitement about amid the sunny Royal weather. It was almost as if the Queen had brought spring along with her. The squealing children with paper Union Jacks, the adult shouts of welcome and the flags on private homes are the true indication that the Royal couple are warmly welcomed by Bermuda.

Everyone we have encountered who has met the Queen or Prince Philip has been nothing less than enthusiastic about the experience. Toughened reporters who met the Royal couple at the Press reception after the investiture at Government House on Tuesday afternoon were unusually impressed. Some who attended out of duty came away full of praise for the genuine way the Royal couple treat a group.

At the end of a long tour of the islands and with her left arm in a cast from a riding accident, the Queen seemed fresh and relaxed and genuinely interested in the events planned for her in Bermuda. As a sign that things are changing, she left the car behind and led the official party on foot up Water Street, St. George's, from King's Square to Tucker House, causing concern for her security people but joy for the crowd. The excitement as the Queen, Mayor Henry Hayward and Premier Sir John Swan walked along Water Street was almost tangible.

The true testimony to the Queen's public touch comes from Mrs. Jean Howes who is blind and who received a Queen's Certificate at the Government House investiture. "It was very exciting. Really nice. She is a very pleasant person, very natural. She easily lived up to all my expectations.'' And to Bermuda's.