pageantry.

Hundreds lined the streets of Hamilton or gathered outside the Cabinet Office to taste a flavour of the annual Throne Speech ceremony.

Others came to sample the Island's colonial tradition -- or just listen to the marching band of the Bermuda Regiment.

But everybody who caught a glimpse of the majestic proceedings to mark the new Parliament session went away feeling as though they had seen a glorious reminder of Bermuda's heritage.

Yesterday's speech to open the House of Assembly was also the first chance for a new Governor to stamp his own mark on a great Bermudian occasion.

His Excellency Thorold Masefield, in full white summer uniform and plumed hat, delivered the speech for the first time as Governor.

And it was a perfect day for all the pomp and circumstance on display.

In glorious sunshine, the Number One and Number Two Guards of the Bermuda Regiment Training Company began their march towards the Cabinet Building.

Those who waited for them, from as far afield as Britain, the US and Canada, were given two signals that the Company was approaching. First, there was the faint sound of the Bermuda Regiment Band of Corps and Drums, which led the parade to Front Street.

The marches they played gradually became louder with every regimented step on the parade from the Bermuda Fire Service headquarters. Then the 21-gun salute from Albuoy's Point, timed to finish with the Governor's arrival at the Cabinet Building, began signalling the approach of the procession.

Each shot which pierced the air rang out like clockwork.

And when the final salute was fired, the Police escort leading the Governor and his wife was heading up the drive of the immaculately-kept Cabinet grounds.

The soldiers of the Regiment were already standing to attention on the front lawn.

Then ripples of applause from the watching crowds gave the soldiers their own salute -- as they responded to the parade commander's order of "eyes front'' and the last sound of the band before the Governor's arrival.

His Excellency's horse-drawn carriage drew in front of the Cabinet Building at 10.45 a.m.

There was silence among the crowds as he took the Royal Salute, respected the National Anthem and inspected the guardsmen.

Then at 10.50 precisely, the Governor dispatched his official messenger -- Black Rod -- to summon members of parliament from the House of Assembly.

Seven minutes later Black Rod returned, followed by the Speaker, Premier, Opposition Leader and the Island's legion on MPs.

The Governor's 25-minute speech, broadcast on loudspeakers to those outside, attracted the interest of scores more as they filed past on Front Street.

Hardly anybody left the Cabinet grounds during the speech and the Regiment soldiers stood to perfect attention.

When it was all over the Union Flag, which fluttered at full mast throughout the ceremony, was lowered to mark the departure of the Governor.

The MPs filed away to the House of Assembly to begin another year of political debate.

And the sound of the marching band piped up once more, leading the Company guards away for the procession back to the fire service HQ along Front Street, Queen Street and Church Street.

Everything went smoothly -- except for the four Regiment soldiers who needed first aid for sunstroke.

For those looking on, the pageantry had more than matched their expectations of a glorious ceremony.

Youngsters from Northland Middle School spoke with excitement about how the Governor came up to them to shake their hands. "He was nice and his wife was nice too,'' one boy said. "She had on a pretty dress.'' Five women on holiday from New Jersey spoke of their wish to see "one of the last outposts of British colonialism''.

Grace Main said: "There just isn't anything like this at home.'' And friend Alice Queffelec added: "You can see Congress but there are no fantastic parades or anything like that.'' Bermudian artist Otto Trott was in the crowd, taking pictures to plan his next painting.

And the Throne Speech ceremony also conjured up images for schoolchildren and their teachers alike.

Helene Stephenson, teacher at Victor Scott Primary School, brought her P3 class of seven-year-olds.

"This is a great chance for them to do some real learning,'' she said. "Of course they love it too.

"But when we get back to class they will have so many questions. You can't learn this stuff in the classroom.'' But the day was most special for Victor Scott pupil Capri Wilson, watching the parade on her seventh birthday.

"It's been really exciting for me,'' she said. "Second only to getting my presents.''