and Prince Philip the warmest of welcomes yesterday.

Thousands poured onto the streets in Hamilton and Dockyard to greet the Queen in what is being recognised as the best reception she has received on her three-week overseas tour.

It was a day when many hospital patients and young children got the chance to meet her.

The day also included plenty of Bermudian art and culture, and a boat trip across the Great Sound in a flotilla of some 16 small boats.

It all started with the ceremonial planting of two cedar trees by the Queen and Prince Philip at Government House.

This was followed by a drive to Hamilton where thousands of people lined the streets and crowded in front of City Hall.

While the Queen toured the National Gallery, the Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied by Lady Swan, visited the Bermuda Society of Arts gallery at City Hall.

It was a big day for Bermudian sculptor Bill Ming, whose `Comin' Home' exhibition was viewed by the Queen.

"I told her `we've met half-way','' he said afterwards, pointing out that Bermuda was the last stop on her way home after her tour of the Caribbean, while he had travelled from Nottingham back to his homeland for the show.

The artist, who left his native Bermuda in 1971 to settle in Britain, is travelling back to Britain with a film unit which is making a documentary about his life and work.

"My meeting with the Queen will be a highlight of the film, and I'm hoping that it will eventually be shown in Bermuda.'' The Duke was shown round the current show, an exhibition of artwork by the students of Bermuda's secondary schools, by Society president Elmer Midgett and curator Mrs. `Mac' Musson.

During the visit to City Hall the Menuhin Foundation Orchestra, made up of students from all of the Island's schools, was playing excerpts from Handel's Fireworks Suite. They had just started to tune up when the couple emerged from the Mayor's Parlour.

Conductor Ms Cal Burr lifted the baton but was stopped in mid swipe when Prince Philip stepped forward. Ms Burr said: "He said: `What have we got here?' As I was telling him I realised I had forgotten the Queen so I turned around and wished her a good morning. I was dumbstruck but we managed to continue playing as they left.'' The Royal couple went outside City Hall where they were met by a group of children representing Paget Primary School. Ten-year-olds Camille Masters, Niketa Lambert, Lyle Butterfield, Jamel Simons, Jennell Ingham and Fredrina James were among a group of students who filled a time capsule which will be opened in 100 years time.

Prince Philip strolled up to the Anglican Cathedral to view restoration work on the windows and stonework, and have coffee with the Bishop of Bermuda the Rt. Rev. William Down. Despite his tight schedule, the Duke spent longer than scheduled chatting with church folk.

"He showed great interest in both the building and the people,'' Rev. Down said. "Afterwards, he walked around carrying his coffee and chatted to every single person in the church hall.'' At this time the Premier, the Governor and a host of other dignitaries were on hand to welcome the Queen to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

But it was Candystriper of the Year Miss Raquel Emery who had the honour of greeting her with a bunch of pink roses.

"I thought she was very nice,'' said the excited 18-year-old.

Even more excited were the Pink Ladies who run the hospital gift shop, when they got a surprise visit from Her Majesty.

"She came straight in -- it was wonderful,'' said gift shop chairman Mrs.

June Stephens. "I can't believe it.'' Fellow worker Mrs. Rosly Baatz was equally pleased. "We had quite a chat,'' she said. "I never thought she would come in here.'' . A proud Mr. Hume Martin, hospitals executive director, spoke for all KEMH staff.

"She was wonderful with patients,'' he told the Gazette . "She spent a lot of time with them. The faces of patients and staff when Her Majesty came into sight were really very moving. People just lit up.'' Spectators outside the hospital included residents from Agape House, who were graced with a special Royal wave.

A special delegation on the driveway included corgi dogs brought along by their owners. The Queen, who keeps corgis, spotted them as she left the hospital.

"She told her driver to stop and she rolled down her window,'' said a beaming Mr. Ronnie Sloper, one of the owners.

"You should have seen the smile on that lady's face. She thanked us very much for bringing them out.'' The Royal couple reunited at Bermuda College where they were greeted by hundreds of schoolchildren and music from the Warwick Academy Orchestra.

They were given a guided tour of the library, student hall and catering instruction area of the Stonington Campus before lunching in the Norwood Room.

For first year students studying hotel technology at the Bermuda College, weeks of preparation and rehearsal came to an end when the Queen and Prince Philip paid them a visit in the trainee kitchen.

Inside the kitchen, she listened intently to instructor Mr. Fred Ming's explanation of what his class was learning before moving forward to speak to one of the students, Cory Powell.

"She asked me if I enjoyed the course and how long it was, and she wanted to know if I would be going into the field after I finished. That was basically it,'' he said.

Meanwhile, as the students continued to cook Noisettes of Lamb Choron, the Duke also moved forward to question Miss Zahra Jabbar.

Looking over the beautifully arranged platters of Tournedos Princess and fresh vegetables, and the lamb sizzling gently in the frying pans, he asked her with a chuckle: "Who is going to eat all this food?'' Mr. Ming said: "I think it was good exposure for the Bermuda College. The Queen was very interested in what we were doing.'' Among the crowd were a group of members of the United States National Trust on a study trip to Bermuda. Holding up a "Luv from the USA'' sign Mr. Bob Serros, of Orlando, said: "We are studying historical sites over here and we had no idea the Queen was coming. It is a great bonus.'' Prince Philip stayed at the college to present Duke of Edinburgh awards to local gold and silver recipients. He made the day for 34 teenagers who took part in his Awards Scheme by handing them their certificates with a Royal handshake.

"If you've got any more (children), stick `em through the machine','' he urged parents attending the outdoor presentation.

Shaded by a sun hat, Prince Philip presented the group of "brilliant'' teenagers with their awards in the Bermuda College courtyard.

In an address to the audience, he said he sympathised with those who went to chilly North Wales for their expeditions: "It must have been quite a nasty shock to the system.'' He also commended local Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme committee members for "keeping (the scheme) going and making a success of it on the Island''.

Earlier on, His Royal Highness met with College lecturers, impressing French teacher Mrs. Riquette Bonne-Smith with his fluency in the language.

During the awards the Queen had set off to Dockyard to visit the Maritime Museum. The purpose was to visit the Commissioner's House which is undergoing restoration, expected to be completed in 1995.

Inside the building, the Queen received the first of an issue of 250 commemorative gold coins from Bermuda Monetary Authority general manager Mr.

Malcolm Williams.

After meeting a number of dignitaries the Queen was driven to the Clocktower building where she met more members of the public.

One of the first children to meet the Queen was 10-year-old Petena Ramotar, from Southampton Glebe school. She presented Her Majesty with a brightly-coloured letter, written at home the night before.

The Royal party then boarded MV Andrea Christine to the sound of cheers from onlookers and HMS Malabar officers. A flotilla of about 16 boats accompanied the vessel to the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, where the Duke of Edinburgh was waiting.

At the club, local artist Mr. Eldon Trimingham presented the Duke with a painting commemorating the occasion in 1959 on which he took part in a special sailing race with the club.

The Queen disembarked without any help despite her bandaged arm. Met by Commodore Mr. John Thompson, she worked her way along the dock, accepting several bunches of flowers from children.

A crowd of Saltus Cavendish children were approached by the Duke at Albouy's Point. But six-year-old Christy Plathe wasn't sure when asked if it was Prince Philip she had just met. "I think so,'' she said.

Moving on in the motorcade along a packed Front Street the couple were welcomed by thousands of spectators gathered at the Botanical Gardens for the Queen's last public engagement of the day, a Display of the Performing Arts.

To the cheers of the crowd, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh took their places in the viewing stand as the Band of the Bermuda Regiment, in ceremonial dress, struck up the National Anthem.

Eight groups gave an hour-long show of song and dance, leading off with the National Dance Theatre of Bermuda in Conchita Ming's `Tubular Images'.

Making a colourful addition to the proceedings were the Portuguese Cultural Association Folklore Dancers, followed by the Bermuda Majorette Drill and Drum Corps.

But the biggest applause was reserved for the H and N Gombey Crowd, as they leapt on to the field to the sound of whistles, fifes and drums. The tall, feathered head-dresses added an exotic touch as the dancers dipped and swayed, before being chased away by the Whip Man.

The Queen, still broadly smiling at the end of a long day, then walked out on to the field and spent several minutes talking with the performers.

NEVER FLAGGING -- The Queen's radiant smile reveals her enjoyment of the Bermuda visit. Here she meets children from Saltus School accompanied by Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan. More Royal Tour pictures on Pages 4, 6 and 7.

MAJESTIC SMILE -- The Queen shares a smile with sailors as she boards her boat at Dockyard.

ON SITE -- Curator of the Maritime Museum Dr. Edward Harris explains the resto ration work being carried out at Commissioner's House.

RETURN VISIT -- The Queen returned to the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club yesterday, 41 years after her first visit. She is pictured with Commodore John Thompson.

SAILING AWAY -- The Queen says goodbye to the crowds at Dockyard from the MV Andrea Christine which took her from Dockyard to Hamilton.

CHILD'S GIFT -- A youngster presents the Queen with another bouquet of flowers to add to the many she has received over the last two days.

OLD AND YOUNG -- The Queen met both old and young folk during her walkabout at Albouy's Point yesterday.