Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, has gone so smoothly that it has seemed to be effortless. In reality such a visit takes months of planning and endless care.

From the Police and the Bermuda Regiment, to the musicians and dancers to the flower arrangers and the dinners everything has had to be co-ordinated, timed and planned with taste and with care. We do not think many countries could stage such an event as well.

There have been a good many jokes about the money which was suddenly found to pave some roads so that the Queen could have a smoother ride. Coming in the wake of complaints about the dreadful state of Bermuda's roads, it was genuinely funny that the Queen's arrival achieved results the public could not achieve. In fact, the Royal Visit gave Bermuda a boost toward a general clean-up which is always desirable and rather sensible at the beginning of a new and potentially difficult tourist season.

The fact remains that we did spruce things up, from the St. George's greenery to the boat on which the Queen was to ride from Dockyard to Hamilton. But that is very much the way Bermudians are. We take pride in Bermuda and we take care of our houses and our cars and our boats.

Some things have to stand out in the minds of anyone who saw the Royal events.

The smartness of the Police outriders who served an extra function of keeping the motorcade on time. It was impressive at Stonington Beach when the Royal party was due at noon and drew up and the Daimler door opened for the Queen just as the clock struck.

The extraordinarily happy and excited faces of Bermuda's children as they waved at Her Majesty, the Royal magic more potent and more dignified than any politician has ever mustered.

The public was delighted by the Queen breaking with security and walking up Water Street, St. George's, where legend alone has it that her ancestor King William IV walked as a sailor Prince.

The extraordinary and elaborate Speaker's Dinner, done with military precision by the Southampton Princess Hotel for more than 500 people, was a credit to Bermuda's premier industry. There must be very few hotels in the world capable of efficiently producing such a state occasion, yet it went so smoothly that guests hardly noticed it was special.

The sheer joy of those participating in the entertainment at the Botanical Gardens on Wednesday evening must have impressed even a Queen who is used to state occasions.

The joy given to those invited to Government House by the fabulous flower arrangements was the thanks received by the garden club volunteers who arranged them.

All this and a great deal more goes into a successful Royal tour. The hard work of Mr. Kenneth Richardson, who came out of retirement to run this event, and his staff pay the dividends of efficiency and smoothness. Bermuda can be proud that such a tiny island has both the pride and the ability to do it and do it well.