The Queen toasted the friendliness of islanders as she vowed to "continue to support Bermuda's progress."
A State Dinner in honour of Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh was held at The Point restaurant at Tucker's Point Hotel on Wednesday night.
The Queen used the opportunity to tell the who's who of Bermuda how fond she is of the friendly and courteous islanders.
She said they were "delighted" to return to Bermuda to join in with the 400th anniversary of settlement celebrations and reaffirmed her commitment to Britain's oldest colony.
The Queen said her first trip 56 years ago had been "a memorable part of my Commonwealth tour" and went on to say "modern Bermuda had made a great success of itself."
The Queen highlighted the mild climate, successful tourism industry and how the island had "been a successful pioneer in the highly specialised reinsurance business."
She praised Bermudians for "repeatedly and successfully reinventing themselves over 400 years."
The Queen said it would have been unwise for Admiral Sir George Somers to predict the future of Bermuda back in 1609.
But she added: "One thing is certain; the United Kingdom will continue to follow and support Bermuda's progress to the very best of her ability.
"After 400 years of common experience, we can be confident in placing our faith in Bermuda's future, whatever it may hold."
Just under 100 invited guests sat on the ten round tables with each table named after one of Bermuda's parishes.
Silk tablecloths, chair covers and napkins were used, as well as name places and plates with Bermuda's coat of arms.
The Queen was dressed in a glamorous pink ball gown with a glittery bodice. She wore white gloves, tiara and diamond jewellery.
She entered the restaurant to a fanfare from the Bermuda Regiment and was seated at the top table in front of the fireplace, to her left sat the Premier and to her right was Speaker of the House the Hon. Stanley Lowe.
Also on Her Majesty's table were the Duke of Edinburgh, Wanda Brown, Diana (Lady Farnham), Roderick Bassett, Edwina Bowen, the Rt. Hon. Christopher Geidt and Senate President Carol Bassett.
The Queen's table was decorated with a peach and white floral arrangement and candles. Immediately in front of the Queen was a butler's bell.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband sat on the Devonshire table with Paula Cox to his left and Donna Pearman to his right.
Other guests included Sir John Swan, opposition leader Kim Swan, Ariel Re CEO Don Kramer, Attorney General Kim Wilson and head of 400th anniversary steering committee Conchita Ming.
Bermudian singer Toni Robinson sang Amazing Grace before the Premier started the speeches and toasted the Queen.
Dr. Brown said he wanted to echo the genuinely warm welcome shown by the people of Bermuda: "The relationship between the United Kingdom and Bermuda has withstood the test of time and as our democracies have matured successive Governments on both sides of the Atlantic have conducted affairs in mutual respect, recognizing the importance of the needs and the will of the people.
"It was in the sixteenth year of Your Majesty's Reign that Bermuda gained its modern Constitution and now in this fifty-eighth year of that Reign, Your Majesty's Government continues to respond positively to the needs of the Bermudian people to evidence that document as a living, evolving manifestation of our system of governance."
He added: "We wanted you to know that as small as Bermuda is, it is not always easy for us to speak with one voice. Yet, tonight we welcome you in unison and offer our thanks and best wishes for continued prosperity on behalf of my wife and me and the Government and people of Bermuda."
Posted: Saturday, November 28, 2009
Comment by:
Bruce McClarron / Arizona
Ewart Brown does NOT look very happy... I believe most of what he had to say was really stated as Tongue-in-Cheek!! At least he did'nt bring-up the 'I' word... INDEPENDENCE, because I'd "Bet the House" that it was on his mind, on more than one occasion!!
Let's hope he has learned his lesson... On what the Bermudian people want - And that is to retain the Staus Quo - NO independence from the UK!!
