Prince Philip said goodbye to Bermuda yesterday after giving a ringing endorsement of the Island's Duke of Edinburgh's Awards Scheme.

The Duke left on a private plane for New York at 11.40 a.m., following a one-hour trip around the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.

And Governor Thorold Masefield, who entertained the Queen's husband during his 24-hour stopover, said the Duke was "delighted'' with the way his awards scheme was run in Bermuda.

Mr. Masefield told The Royal Gazette : "He's enjoyed himself immensely, I think.

"What he's seen here as evidence is a very high per capita take-up of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme in Bermuda -- probably the highest in the world.

"There was a fundraising dinner last night involving some 44 people. And His Royal Highness was actively talking about the award scheme and recounting tales from some of the children he had presented certificates to.

"I believe he always enjoys coming here.'' It was Prince Philip's first trip to Bermuda for five years, having visited with the Queen in 1993.

And he gave a few smiles to some young onlookers who spotted him wandering around the BUEI.

"My daughter says she thinks he's handsome and wants to know why he always has his hands clasped behind his back,'' said mother-of-two Dria Toavs.

"I can't answer that one. But Lydia is only four and her sister Naomi is six and they're both absolutely fascinated to have had their first real-life glimpse of royalty.'' Lance Aronson, from New Jersey, said his wife and three children were taken aback at being able to brush shoulders with His Royal Highness.

"We recognised him as soon as he came in,'' said Mr. Aronson.

"I have two young boys and a daughter and they were so surprised to have seen the Duke.

"And my wife was just ecstatic when we said hello to him and he responded in kind. He was very cordial.'' Prince Philip, wearing a grey suit, was hosted on his tour by BUEI Chairman Brendan Hollis and trustees Michael Collier, Teddy Tucker and Wendy Tucker.

His time was filled examining the Science and Sea Exhibition, the Reef Ride and the Jack Lightbourn Shell Collection.

And Mr. Lightbourn revealed the Duke had a secret fascination of his own -- for hermit crabs.

"He was particularly interested in learning about the deep water shells,'' he said. "They're the ones which are transported by hermit crabs.

"He asked a lot of questions and made several comments. He's certainly a very knowledgeable man.'' The Duke's tour of the Institute was briefly interrupted when he bumped into some acquaintances from the night before -- girls from Bermuda High School.

One of the students, 15-year-old Tara Kessaram, had met the Duke during his visit to the Outward Bound Programme in Paget Island on Thursday afternoon.

Others had been presented gold Duke of Edinburgh's awards.

"We're all members of the school's Marine Biology club,'' said Tara. "But Prince Philip made time to speak and ask us questions.

"He was very friendly, very chatty and he certainly seemed very interested in what everyone was saying.'' One thing the Duke could not do was sign an autograph, as requested by two American tourists outside the BUEI entrance.

And he was unable to tell The Royal Gazette of his own personal feelings for Bermuda, despite a request moments before the Royal entourage left under Police escort for the airport.

"He needs notice before doing an interview,'' said his private secretary Brigadier Miles Hunt-Davis. "I do hope you understand. But the Duke has enjoyed himself immensely.''