Island for its traditional gift of Easter lillies.

In the personally hand-written letter, the Queen said that because Easter in Britain was early this year most of the flowers had not bloomed and the gift was "especially appreciated'' and asked the Governor to express her thanks.

The lillies were grown at the Locust Hall farm, in Devonshire, by Joseph Pacheco. Bermuda has been sending Easter lillies to the Queen for more than 40 years.