to be the first time yesterday.

And -- although the crowds gathered to watch the pomp and circumstance provided by Queen's representative Governor Thorold Masefield and the Bermuda Regiment and Band were smaller than previous Progressive Labour Party Government events -- locals and visitors alike watched the proceedings with fascination.

Watchers, however, were less impressed by lone protester Dennis Bean -- who shouted anti-gay abuse and held up a placard demanding the repeal of the Stubbs Act which decriminalised homosexuality.

A plainclothes Police officer was involved in a brief scuffle with Mr. Bean when he crossed the barrier to heckle passing MPs -- but he returned to the right side of the metal fences and was allowed to continue his protest without interference.

The old and the new was encapsulated by the Opposition United Bermuda Party holding on to tradition to a man -- in top hats and tails -- while the PLP lined up in lounge suits.

But Mr. Masefield stuck to custom, arriving in dress whites, and solar topee topped with feathers, in a horse-drawn landau tended by two white-coated and hatted attendants.

One US cruise ship passenger who watched the pageantry said: "It's great -- very, very British.

"We just don't have this sort of old tradition back home. I never expected to see anything like this.'' But setting up the Governor's throne in front of the Cenotaph had one unexpected side effect -- parts of the speech were drowned out by the deep drone of the foghorn of a cruise ship berthed on Front Street, warning passengers of its imminent departure.

Another departure from the usual course of events was the choice of Malcolm Eve, presiding Elder of the AME church, to say the traditional prayer -- a job usually carried out by the Anglican Bishop of Bermuda.

The day's events kicked off when Black Rod -- a role carried out by a senior Police officer -- was dispatched by the Governor up the hill to the House of Assembly to bring down MPs to join their Upper House colleagues on Cabinet Office lawn.

After the speech, the Governor did a walkabout on the lawn, pausing to speak to spectators before being driven off back to Government House in the official landau.

Another visitor said: "It's a bonus seeing something like this. I don't know what it's all about, but it's sure fun to watch the band and your army.''