The Queen was serene and the Duke chatty as the royal couple arrived in Canberra last night greeted by schoolchildren on their 16th - and possibly final - visit to Australia.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
There was an audible gasp from the crowd as the Queen first appeared in the doorway of the British Airways Boeing 777 at Fairbairn air base and then loud cheers and whistles as she walked down the stairs with Prince Philip.
The Queen waved to the crowd as she stepped down to Australian soil 57 years after her first triumphant visit here in 1954.
She was greeted by Governor-General Quentin Bryce, who curtsied, and Prime Minister Julia Gillard and ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher, who did not.
Smoke from a 21-gun salute wafted in the air and the Australian Federation Guard band played the British and Australian anthems on a perfect still, warm Canberra evening.
The royal couple officially began their 11-day tour of Australia, spending six days in Canberra, starting with a visit to Floriade this morning.
Two children from every school in Canberra were invited to welcome the Queen as she touched down just before 6pm, with those selected to hand her flowers rushing afterwards into the arms of their proud parents.
Emily Prior, 11, from Charles Conder Primary School, was beaming after she handed a bunch of bright orange gerberas to the Queen.
''She's, like, the most important person,'' she said.
Fadden Primary School student Hannah Murrells, 7, also met the Queen, reporting that she said ''even more flowers'' when handed another bunch of blooms.
The 85-year-old monarch, dressed in a teal-blue suit with gold buttons, matching hat and black gloves, smiled happily as she greeted the crowd while it was left to the 90-year-old Duke of Edinburgh to engage in some cheeky banter with the schoolchildren.
He asked Charlie Barnes, 12, from the Turner School, ''You've escaped from school have you?'' and inquired how long it was until holidays. ''Can you stand it?'' the Duke said, with a smile.
''It was so cool, very exciting,'' Charlie said.
The Duke asked Canberra Girls Grammar School students Olivia Lindsey, 12, and Rori Bettle, 11, where they went to school and added, ''Is that for the brightest?''
Margaret Bonnett, of Scullin, told the Duke she last saw him in Brisbane in 1954.
''And he said, 'Oh goodness my first visit to Australia was 70 years ago','' she said.
As the Queen and Duke greeted the crowd, wellwishers called out ''Welcome back'' and ''Lovely to see you''. There was one ''Aussie, Aussie, Aussie''. Many waved Australian flags.
Neil Murray, of Monash, called for three cheers for the Queen, which the crowd happily provided.
Mary Krix, of Scullin, was on the phone to her daughter reporting all the details of the arrival while taking photos with the other hand.
''I can't believe how close she is,'' she said.
''I'm not a monarchist but she's part of our history and that makes it exciting.''
Canberra Institute of Technology teachers Jim Gregory and Des Lloyd and education manager Peter Hansen looked on proudly as the Queen inspected the Australian Federation Guard from a new dais they crafted over three weeks working day and night.
The dais featured jarrah steps and jarrah sides which Mr Lloyd had carved with native animals including the koala, kangaroo and platypus. It also had a nice Aussie touch of a corrugated iron roof.
''We're really proud,'' Mr Gregory said.
And she was meeting a few more last night.
Telia White, 5, and Abbey White, 2, of Charnwood, were dressed in their best princess outfits. Dad Adam White is an apprentice aircraft maintenance engineer for Qantas Defence Services. Mum Stacey Hawkes, was overwhelmed when she saw the Queen.
''It's just great for the kids to tell their grandchildren they were here,'' she said.
Twins Chelsea and Ebony Boulding, of Banks, met the Queen, Governor-General and the Duke, their mum Leah posting the pictures on Facebook before the royal couple had even left the tarmac.
They had previously met the Governor-General during Book Week and were now keen to meet the ''Governor-General's boss''.
Dad Darren was impressed with the Duke.
''He cracked a funny, 'Do we all live on the base?','' he said.
Bella Calderazzo, 9, of Melba from Holy Spirit Primary School in Nicholls couldn't wait to meet the Queen. ''Because she is practically the ruler of Australia and all the other countries,'' she said.
Arawang Primary School pupil Callum Innis was at the ceremony after being voted ''prime minister'' by his classmates.
Joining the official party was Speaker of the House Harry Jenkins, High Court Chief Justice Robert French and Liberal Party leader Tony Abbott.
Ms Gillard's partner, Tim Mathieson, and Mr Abbott's wife, Margie, were also present.
Retired teacher Margaret Cunningham (nee Anderson), now of Bateau Bay, presented a bouquet to the Queen 57 years after she did the same as a six-year-old pupil at Turner Infants School.
She said it was a surreal experience to repeat the gesture.
The Queen and Duke stayed for about 25 minutes before departing for Government House.
