The Queen last night praised the people of Bermuda in an affectionate tribute to Britain’s oldest colony.

The Queen saluted the entrepreneurial skills and creativity of generations of Bermudians at a State Dinner held in her honour last night. Her Majesty and Prince Philip joined dignitaries at Tucker’s Point Hotel on the eve of the final day of their visit, which marks the Island’s 400th Anniversary celebrations.

In her speech the Queen spoke of her fondness for the “friendliness and courtesy” of the people of these islands, and reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to its overseas territory.

“Just as Admiral (George) Somers would have struggled to predict the future in 1609, so it would be unwise to predict where Bermuda’s natural beauty, friendliness, courtesy and common sense will lead it next,” said the Queen.

“But one thing is certain: the United Kingdom will continue to follow and support Bermuda’s progress to the very best of her ability.

“After 400 years of common experience, we can be confident in placing our faith in Bermuda’s future, whatever it may hold.”

The Queen was introduced by Premier Ewart Brown who praised the timing of her visit with the Island’s 400th anniversary.

“The relationship between the United Kingdom and Bermuda has withstood the test of time and as our democracies have matured successive Governments on both sides of the Atlantic have conducted affairs in mutual respect, recognising the importance of the needs and the will of the people,” said the Premier.

“It was in the sixteenth year of Your Majesty’s Reign that Bermuda gained its modern Constitution and now in this fifty-eighth year of that Reign, Your Majesty’s Government continues to respond positively to the needs of the Bermudian people to evidence that document as a living, evolving manifestation of our system of governance.”

Earlier yesterday, there were amazing scenes as people — young and old — lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the Queen and Prince Philip.

Thousands flocked to the see the Royal couple as they drove to Hamilton from Dockyard and hundreds lined Par-La-Ville and Woodlands roads waiting for the Royal motorcade, with crowds four or five deep.

At one stage a lone Police officer had to move the enthusiastic spectators off the road, as they spilled over trying to see when the Queen was coming.

At the Berkeley Institute, 650 students turned out for the Royal visit — waving flags and taking pictures.

One student, 15-year-old Tashel Bean said: “I feel like she actually does care. She actually took the time to celebrate something important in Bermuda, the 400 years. The little wave (she gave) was a pay off, but it went by in a snap.”

Alexis Smith, 17, said: “All day I have been excited to come out. I definitely love our Queen and I was definitely excited to see her today. And when I saw her it was amazing.

“This is probably the only time I could see her in my lifetime and I am glad I was at this age so I could appreciate it.”

On Tuesday the Queen was greeted by about 2,000 people when she went to King’s Square in St. George’s.

Yesterday, the second day of the Royal visit, started as the Royal motorcade drove through Hamilton on the way to the Cabinet office.

There the Queen and Prince Philip switched their Range Rover for a horse-drawn carriage which took them to the Cathedral for a service celebrating Bermuda’s 400th anniversary.

Pupils from Elliott Primary School had waited more than an hour to see the Queen and 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.”

Like most commuters and tourists, the Queen travelled by ferry to visit Dockyard. As she arrived at the Hamilton Ferry Terminal, hundreds of people gathered to wave, cheer, take pictures or simply stand and stare.

Then it was off to Dockyard where Prince Philip visited the Spirit of Bermuda and then rejoined the Queen for a tour of the Clocktower where they saw a historical re-enactment of a Bermudian wedding by pupils from Sandys Middle School and met former Naval Dockyard apprentices, including Reverend Malcolm Eve, 76, who travelled to the UK aged 16 for a four-year apprenticeship as a shipfitter in 1949.

He said: “”We were excited to be going and the family I stayed with — the Bundles — they treated me like one of their sons. The only thing I could never get used to was the British weather.”

The Royal couple also heard 102-year-old Hilda Smith play the national anthem on a piano. The Queen listened as the retired school teacher, who is now wheelchair bound, played the tune.

Her Majesty and Prince Philip also viewed a huge mural by artist Graham Foster depicting the 400 years of Bermuda’s settlement and in between the busy schedule there was even time for the Duke of Edinburgh to be presented with a pair of green Bermuda shorts.

The Prince greeted the gift, which included a pair of blue socks and a loud Bermuda tie, with muted delight and said he would not be putting the shorts on straight away.

They were presented by English Sports Shop managing director David Hamshere, who told the Royal “you’ll definitely look very elegant in them”.

Today the Queen and Prince Philip will leave to travel to Trinidad and Tobago for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.

They will leave Government House and drive past Saltus Grammar School, Victor Scott Primary, Prospect Primary, CedarBridge Academy, Saltus Cavendish, Somersfield Academy, Elliot Primary, Whitney Institute and Francis Patton Primary.