The streets of Hamilton were lined with people yesterday desperate to catch a glimpse of the Queen and Prince Philip as they were brought to the Cathedral in a horse-drawn carriage.

People were lined up two or three deep, while some perched on rooftops, to ensure they could welcome the Royal couple who are visiting to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Island's settlement by the British.

As they made their way along Church Street, some strained to get a photo while others erupted into impromptu applause to welcome Bermuda's Head of State. Prince Philip waved and smiled while the Queen looked on at the crowd.

"Why isn't she waving?" one spectator asked as the Queen climbed the steps of the Cathedral where a special service was held.

"At least her dress is beautiful, it is the exact colour of Bermuda's ocean," another onlooker commented.

Indeed the Queen did look "dapper" according to Magistrate Graveney Bannister.

Her teal coat and matching hat were accentuated with white trim, and white shoes, handbag and gloves. The Royal Gazette understands her stylist specifically chose all the Queen's outfits to go with Bermuda's flora and ocean landscapes.

"She looks wonderful today," Mr. Bannister said. "I saw her several years ago when she was in Barbados and she hasn't aged at all. Her dress is very dapper indeed."

While many were praising her dress others were still asking "where is the Royal wave?"

It seemed only the Prince was meeting expectations as he cheerfully smiled and greeted school children, office workers and the elderly from the carriage. But the Queen did not disappoint.

As Her Majesty reached the top of the Cathedral steps she turned and gave a smile along with her signature wave much to the delight of the crowd.

While the Queen was inside listening to a service from the Bishop of Bermuda, the Rt. Rev. Patrick White, who spoke of the Island's troubled involvement with the slave trade, the public remained outside waiting to catch another look at Bermuda's Head of State.

Joyce Hammel, of San Francisco, was delighted her trip to Bermuda coincided with the Queen's visit.

"It wasn't planned at all. But when I heard she would be here I was so excited. I have always been a fan of the Royal family. To me she represents tradition. She has been doing this for five decades, it is important to look back and acknowledge the importance of history.

"The crowd has been so respectful and the schoolchildren so polite. Representatives of all five decades have lined the streets and it has been great to see. I also think it is wonderful that the Government is proving live coverage of parts of her visit."

Primary three students from Elliott Primary School waited more than an hour to see the Queen.

Teacher Donyale Eversley said they had been studying the Monarchy and Bermuda's British history in social studies.

"We saw this as the perfect way to show them history. This is the first time they will get to see a member of the Royal family in person. They are very excited."

Katrina Van Pelt, who has lived on the Island for nine years, was waving a Union Jack along with her American brother-in-law Ken Van Pelt.

Mrs. Van Pelt, who is from the UK, said she was happy with the turnout, adding: "It has been a very civilised crowd. This is the first time I have seen the Queen, and I think she has had a great welcome to Bermuda."

Danielle Chiappa, an intern in Government's Statistics Department, said she was pleased to get a chance to see the Queen.

"The interns in the Jumpstart Programme organised by the Cabinet Office were asked to help out today," she said. "We didn't know what we were going to do but we were told to wear black and then this morning we were asked to help organise the students on the Cabinet grounds so I got to see her as she walked through."

Takira Dill, who is also part of the internship programme and is currently working at the Transport Control Department, said: "I think it is really great that the young students got to see her. I was happy too, but they were very excited. And they were very well behaved and very polite."

The Royal couple arrived on the Island on Tuesday and will travel to Trinidad and Tobago tomorrow.

This is the fourth time the Queen has visited Bermuda. Her first trip was in 1953, just five months after her coronation.

* Have you been to see the Queen and Prince Philip? Did you take pictures or videos? If you did, we'd like to see them so we can highlight the 'people's pictures' in the paper or on our website. Send them to photos@royalgazette.bm.