Two young Bermudians enjoyed an experience of a lifetime - meeting and shaking hands with the Queen.

Deshay Caines, 17, and Mario Swainson, 18, were selected to attend the Commonwealth Day Celebrations in England, as representatives of Bermuda's Youth Parliament.

Both students were selected as delegates to attend the conference, which aimed to promote 'unity and difference' along with 29 other representatives from other Commonwealth countries.

Delegates were given a tour of England's historic landmarks, including the House of Commons and the House of Lords. They also took part in a workshop on the function and the history of England's Parliament and the role of the Commonwealth.

But the trip also involved a reception when both students managed to talk with the Queen. Mr. Swainson, a CedarBridge student and Premier of the Island's Youth Parliament, said although his conversation with the Queen was brief, he was left with a good impression.

He said: "The Queen is a nice lady, I didn't even expect to shake her hand. But after speaking with her, I found her personality to be calm and down to earth and I felt a good vibe from her."

Youth empowerment and education are some of the issues important to the youngster, who said he plans to get involved in politics eventually.

Ms Caines, who also met and shook hands the Queen, was also impressed and said: "It was a rewarding experience, the Queen asked us about our involvement in youth Parliament in Bermuda.

"We shook her hand and she told us to pass on her greetings to our Premier back in Bermuda. "We were the only people she talked to for a good five minutes because she found out we were from Bermuda.

"We asked her when she will come back to Bermuda and she said she didn't know but will check her schedule."

Ms Caines, a student at Bermuda Institute, is the Speaker of the House in the Youth Parliament and plans to study law in addition to political science - following the footsteps of her uncles Senators David Burch and Wayne Caines.

"It gives young people a chance to participate and vent their feelings in a positive way," she added.

Around 35 students from different schools meet every Wednesday for the Youth Parliament to debate national issues in the program, which was founded in 1985.

It is administered by the House of Assembly and gives young people a chance to express their feelings and learn about Government, according to its mission statement.