At 5.30 yesterday evening, there were more kangaroos gathered around Government House than onlookers. But, by the time Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip arrived at about 7pm, there were an estimated 500 people to clap and cheer them on at both ends of Dunrossil Drive.
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Erin Prince, 16, was five years old when she last saw the Queen in Canberra. She shot through a barricade outside the Hotel Kurrajong to present Her Majesty with some flowers.
''I remember curtseying and giving them to her,'' Erin said.
This time, she was waiting for the Queen (without flowers) as part of an afternoon walk with her mother, Shona.
''It's one of those magic Canberra days, why not come and see the Queen?'' Ms Prince said.
During the wait, eight-year-old Sofia Jensen from Yarralumla said she had been practising her wave and thinking about what the Queen might wear. ''She'll be in lemon again,'' Sofia predicted.
Public servants Lucy and Rebecca were cycling home to Weston Creek when they realised they could catch a glimpse of the Queen. But they were only prepared to wait for five minutes.
The two said they had no other plans to see the Queen this week, ''unless she's at Floriade in the morning on our way to work,'' Lucy joked.
After several false alarms - courtesy of flashing police cars and Governor-General Quentin Bryce returning from the airport - the Queen's motorcade finally appeared at the far end of Dunrossil Drive.
Her Majesty gave a standard wave and quickly disappeared through the gates of Government House, to the sound of lions roaring at the nearby National Zoo.
It was the briefest of brief moments but the crowd appeared satisfied.
Celia, 24, who lives in the City, welled up at the sight of the Queen driving past.
''She's so honourable and it's the position that she holds,'' Celia explained.
''She's part of our history and she's part of our present ... And I think it's important to come out and see her and let her know she has the support of the people in Australia.''
The wait was also worth it for Sofia, even if the Queen had turned up in aqua. ''That's OK. [blue] is my favourite colour.''
