Local interest in the Queen - or her birthday - seems to be in decline, judging from the sparser than normal crowd for her Birthday Parade yesterday morning. Hundreds turned up - locals and visitors - but no-one among those who lined Front Street joined in when Governor Thorold Masefield led the traditional three cheers for the Queen.

"They never do," said an officer of the Regiment who had somehow managed to worm his way out of being in the parade this time around. "I mean the soldiers do because they have to. But nobody really cares about the Queen..."

The dignitaries that filled the flagpole dais, among them the Premier Jennifer Smith, the Police Commissioner, cabinet ministers, a smattering of senators and Opposition MPs, weren't exactly enthused either.

Wanda Benjamin told The Royal Gazette that she was there because "my husband made me come".

Married for 15 years to a head honcho in the Regiment, she's a bit of an authority on the Queen's Birthday Parade. Anyone else would tell you that the men and women of the regiment, the police and the Bermuda Cadets delivered a performance that was exactly the same as in years past.

But Mrs. Benjamin, who also admits that she finds the pomp and pageantry enjoyable, said that this year's parade was even better than last year's.

"It's getting better," she told The Royal Gazette.

An almost eerie stillness descended upon Hamilton as the throngs waited the arrival of the dignitaries. Punctuated only by the voice of the Regiment spokesman as he announced each arrival. Visitors to the island gaped in awe, while locals just waited.

First to show up and take their seats were the chief fire officer and his wife. Then came Police Comissioner Jonathan Smith and his wife. Next was the Commanding Officer of the Regiment, followed by the Mayor of Hamilton Lawson Mapp. GP1 carrying the Premier - cool looking, stilletoed and peach themed, accompanied by a stern-faced Sen. David Burch -- was next. Everyone was asked to stand.

Kids yawned during the pause for effect that followed - only to perk up a little minutes later when the Governor's procession pulled up.

Moments after the Governor and Mrs. Masfield descended from their horse drawn carriage, and a stanza of the national anthem, he was inspecting the troops on parade.

The pace quickened a little after that. There was the first march past, much to the delight of the crowds at the extreme ends of the main arena who so far had not seen a thing. The flutter died down when the royal standard (flag) was unfurled - a symbol of the Queen's presence, because as the spokesman reminded the audience she couldn't make it to the birthday parade.

The Regiment band struck up a couple more stanzas of God Save The Queen. Soon it was time for the children and the frail to block their ears while the queen was honoured again - three rounds of a 21-gun salute,known as the feu-de-joie or "fire of joy".

Major Larry Mussenden, who led the parade, then ordered his troops to remove their "head dress" as the Governor was about to lead them and the civilians in three cheers for Her Majesty. The lukewarm response contrasted sharply with the moment most of the locals in the crowd had been waiting for - the final march past down to the Cenotaph.

The troops were sent off with roars of joyous approval, breaking the solemnity of the parade.

The Royal Gazette tried, and failed, to find one person who knew how old their Head of State was, or even wanted to wish the Queen a happy birthday.

"For most of the public it's just a holiday," said one Regiment officer who did not want to be named. "The ceremony has to take place or it will die a natural death." Two elderly women making their way back up Burnaby Hill, were more concerned with whom they spotted, or didn't spot, at the flagpole seats.

"The ex-Premier wasn't there," said one. "The Leader of the Opposition wasn't there," replied the other. They sounded disappointed.

The Queen is 75 this year.