Industrial unrest almost scuppered the most memorable visit to the Island by the Queen and Prince Philip.

However, fears that the 1975 strike by Government workers would mean the trip had to be postponed were unfounded.

In the end, the strike only affected one aspect of the trip when the Queen should have sailed on a ferry to Dockyard but instead was driven to the West End.

An announcement of a Royal pay increase of $420,000 in The Royal Gazette the day before the visit would not have pleased the strikers.

The Royal couple arrived by air on Sunday, February 16, to be greeted by an estimated 2,000 Bermudians at the Civil Air Terminal. Cars were parked up to quarter of a mile away as Bermudians flocked to get a glimpse of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Queen apparently was suffering from a cold when she arrived, and it was remarked that she looked tired.

Between the Airport and Government House an estimated 15,000 people cheered and waved flags and home-made banners.

The following day the public were treated to the Royal couple riding in an open landau to City Hall and then onto Front Street, where they were transferred to a car for the trip to Dockyard.

That morning the Queen opened the Maritime Museum and is said to have shown great interest in the exhibits.

Looking at underwater displays of Mr. Teddy Tucker's treasures she was heard to remark: "Amazing.'' The Queen will award the MBE to Mr. Tucker today.

The Royal couple were then taken to the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse before lunching at Warwick Camp. Once again crowds lined the streets to get a view of Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh.

Prince Philip was then taken by helicopter to the East End and on a boat trip to Nonsuch Island, where he had to wade through two feet of water to get ashore.

The Royal couple were re-united later in the day to attend the Speaker's Dinner at the Southampton Princess.

On the Tuesday there was the traditional tree-planting at Government House, before they set off for the National Stadium where they received a huge roar of applause from schoolchildren. The Queen presented Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Despite light rain falling, the Queen and Prince Philip then went on a walkabout to meet some of the children.

They were then driven to St. George's, where King's Square was packed with 2,000 people, and visited the Town Hall and the Deliverance.

Later that day the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh returned to the Airport for their flight back to London.

The 1975 visit was described as an "unqualified success'' in The Royal Gazette the following day.

The report noted: "During the 48-hour visit an estimated 25,000 people saw the Royal couple at close quarters. Scores spoke to them and scores more shook their hands.

"It was a colourful, lively two days which created a holiday atmosphere wherever the Queen and Duke went.'' The following year the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh paid a much shorter visit to the Island -- a four and a half hour stopover. But there was still plenty crammed into that visit.

Governor Sir Edwin Leather said: "Her Majesty was absolutely thrilled with her visit. The whole thing went beautifully from the word go.

"And if the reaction of the thousands of Bermudians who packed behind the crash barriers in Hamilton is anything to go by, Bermuda was equally delighted to see the Queen and Prince Philip again.'' The Royal Couple arrived at the Civil Air Terminal and were whisked off to Front Street to meet Members of Parliament. A welcoming ceremony was held in the House of Assembly.

Thousands of people crowded Front Street as the Royal couple rode in a landau to the Royal Yacht Britannia . After listening to music from the Bermuda Regiment Band they were introduced to Bermudian sportsmen, including Olympic boxing bronze medalist Clarence Hill.

The yacht then sailed out of Hamilton Harbour as the marine band played "Auld Lang Syne.'' PICTURE PERFECT -- The Press and the public struggle to get the best picture of the Queen as she visits City Hall during the 1975 tour of the Island.

Today's visit will see the arrival of some 20 members of the British Press, but Bermudians can also be expected to be out in force with their own cameras.

ON THE WAY HOME -- The Queen, accompanied by Governor Sir Edwin Leather, boards the Royal Yacht Britannia after her four-hour stay in 1976. The route to the yacht, along Front Street, was lined with Sea Cadets. Throughout the visit the Queen wore a striking yellow dress, making her easily recognisable to the crowds, even from a distance.

TREE PLANTING -- The Queen helps plant a tree outside Government House during her 1975 visit. She will attend a similar ceremony tomorrow following in the tradition of her previous tours and those of many members of the Royal Family who have visited the Island over the past 130 years.

DODGING THE DRIZZLE -- Rain failed to spoil the 1975 visit to Bermuda.

Fortunately there were some breaks in the weather as the Queen, accompanied by Mayor of St. George's the Wor. Norman Roberts, left St. George's Town Hall to view the Deliverance.