The Queen sent a message to the people of Bermuda as the island celebrated a Parliamentary milestone.

In a letter delivered through Government House, she wrote: “On the occasion of celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of the Bermuda Parliament, I have pleasure in sending my warm congratulations to the people of Bermuda.

“I have fond memories of my visits to the islands, including in 1953 when I opened Parliament on the first stop on my Commonwealth Tour and most recently in 2009.

“I send best wishes on this auspicious occasion and for the future.”

The historic sitting of the House of Assembly in St George saw the island’s Parliamentarians sworn in for the new legislative session at a ceremony in St Peter’s Church.

It is the site where the Governor in 1620, Nathaniel Butler, summoned a General Assembly, as it was then known.

The Throne Speech, read in King’s Square, by John Rankin, the Governor, will be his last as he steps down at the end of this month.