Magnus Henagulph It was a hot morning on Front Street yesterday as political friction added to the warm sunshine and high humidity at the first Throne Speech of the new Millennium.

The absence of protesting UBP MPs went unnoticed by visitors and locals alike, as no announcement was made and the ceremony went ahead as normal.

Dignitaries gathered outside the newly painted Senate building. The Bermuda Regiment and Regiment Band were on hand to provide the traditional pomp and colour.

Front Street was blocked off from Court Street to Parliament Street and there was a 17-gun salute from cannon manned by the Regiment's Gun Troop, before the arrival of the Island's Head of State.

Governor Thorold Masefield and his wife Jennifer arrived in a horse drawn landau tended by two white coated attendants, he sporting his full dress whites and solar topee topped with feathers and she in a pink dress.

He was accompanied by Marc Telemaque in his first major role as Aide-de-Camp.

Although they boycotted the ceremony, the public did get a glimpse of the UBP as they passed the Cabinet grounds before and after the formality in full top hats and tails.

The ruling party arrived in suits, with St. George's MP Delaey Robinson wearing his favourite Nehru suit.

Once the Governor had finished inspecting the troops on parade, he requested Black Rod, a role carried out by Chief Inspector Steve Shaw, to go and summon the members of parliament from the house of assembly and bring them to the Senate.

Once the MPs had arrived, a prayer was read by Rev. Carlisle Simmons of the Seventh Day Adventists, and the Governor then proceeded to read the Throne Speech.

One visitor said: "I have been to Bermuda one time before five years ago, but I never saw anything like this and it is just great to see the ceremony.'' As the speech went on, the clouds cleared and the bright sunshine started to heat the heads of soldiers on parade. Halfway through the speech the pillars of regimental rigidness had succumbed to the heat and were dropping like flies.

Even the wind ruffling the Governors feathery hat could not cool the hot headed warriors, some of whom looked like they were fresh from battle as the blood started to flow and casualties started to rise.

A couple visiting from America said they were really impressed and read about the Throne Speech in a tour guide and decided to come and watch.

They had been to London but missed the Changing of the Guard so were happy to see a traditional British ceremony.

The visitors remarked that the black hats the soldiers were wearing did nothing to help keep them cool.

Near the end of the 45 minute speech, the initially sparse crowds had thinned even more and by the end there were not many people for the Governor to greet as he mingled with the crowds.

Another US visitor said: "There was so much detail in the speech, I just wish I knew more about the proceedings.'' And as the soldiers marched away, he added: "There go the survivors.'' A Bermuda resident was asked what she thought of the UBP's Boycott and she replied: "It wouldn't be unusual. For some reason they feel that there are certain things they do not need to attend. They need to take their defeat gracefully and stop acting in such a childish manner.'' Another Bermudian who was at Thursday night's lively meeting on the proposed Constitutional changes said: "It is quite interesting. I agree that a stand has to be made, but their whole point is not the fact, it is the process.''