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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Queen Bids Farewell to Melbourne After Whirlwind Visit

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh left Melbourne's sunny skies and arrived to inclement weather in Perth.

A crowd of more than 400 people braved the wet weather to sneak a peek at the royal pair touching down at Perth International Airport at 4.20pm, five minutes ahead of schedule.

WA Premier Colin Barnett and his wife Lyn, as well as Defence Minister Stephen Smith, were on the tarmac waiting for the Queen to arrive.

As she emerged from the plane, the Queen was greeted by loud cheers from the waiting crowd who had been gathering all afternoon.

Earlier in the day during her whirlwind tour of Melbourne, the Duke of Edinburgh was every inch the exasperated commuter when he took a tram ride through the city with the Queen.

As soon as the royal couple stepped aboard the public transport vehicle he waved his hand and ordered driver Joyleen Smith to set off as they were running late.

It is the first time the monarch has travelled by tram since she boarded one during the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002.

In honour of the royal passengers the white Z3-Class vehicle had been transformed with a red, white and blue exterior colour scheme and inside it had been refurbished and restored.

A dot-matrix screen at its front displayed the words "royal tram" while a smaller one was lit up with the monarch's initials "ER''

Ms Smith, a tram driver for almost seven years, described today's event as an honour.

She added: "When they got on I said hello to the Queen, and Philip said 'come on driver lets go, were running late', so I thought we better go.

"He said it with a smile on his face and I know hes got a wicked sense of humour."

The pair boarded the tram at Stop 13 in Melbourne's Federation Square and travelled along St Kilda Road to a reception and lunch with local politicians at Government House, before flying to Perth late this afternoon.

Earlier they had been held up during a walkabout through the square as dozens of well-wishers had wanted to hand flowers and presents to the royals as tens of thousands looked on.

The royal couple sat facing each other with the Premier of Victoria, Ted Baillieu, and his wife Robyn sat side by side close by.

The monarch may be more used to travelling in a chauffeur driven state Bentley or Rolls Royce but she appeared at home on public transport.

They used a myki - a pre-paid travel card - but it is not known if they chose the two-hour zone one fare costing $3.80 or opted for the cheaper $2.80 senior citizen option.

Four mounted officers from Victoria Police escorted the royal tram which travelled at walking pace, around 3mph, during the eight minute journey.

Among the two horses that led the way was Super Impressive, a former racehorse that had earned around $1.5 million during its former career.

The royal couple waved at the thousands who lined their route and the crowds cheered and screamed in response.

The Queen is greeted with a letter as she walks through Federation Square. Picture: Alex Coppel

Their journey took them along part of the route of the number eight tram which runs from the Brunswick depot to Toorak.

Ms Smith, who drives trams along the inner-city routes one, eight and 19, said she had taken commuters along the stretch of track used by the royals hundreds of times.

She added: "A couple of times I got a little overwhelmed and thought I was going to cry - all the people were waving at her. At one point I even waved at someone I recognised.

"But despite being nervous at first it was overwhelming, what an honour to drive the Queen."

Before boarding the tram the Queen was met by a forest of flags and a sea of smiles as she swept through Federation Square.

Some staked their places beside the metal barricade flanking the red carpet four hours early, excited children bearing bouquets at the front.

And others brought home-made signs, hoping they would be a magnet to the monarch.

The welcome was warm, in fact too warm for some as a few onlookers seemed to succumb to heat stroke after hours in the full sun.

But the Queen's arrival eclipsed even that as thousands almost filling the square fell respectfully silent.

Children perched on shoulders and in the few trees. Arms in the crush stretched high to photograph Her Majesty, aiming vaguely towards an occasionally visible pink hat.

"She's so short, damn it,'' one woman complained, but for most in the crowd, near enough was better than good enough.

Cecelia Egan held a sign. Australia Loves Our Queen, and the Queen returned the love, moving close and appreciating the handiwork.

"I said 'thank you for coming','' Ms Egan said.

"I am so pleased she read the sign. I could see her eyes reading it, then she gave a beautiful little gracious sign and moved on.

"My life's complete ... now I can die.''

Eliza Comerford, 9, staked a spot near the metal barriers at 8.30am, and was rewarded for her patience when the Queen saw a Welcome Queen Elizabeth sign, came over and took her flowers.

"She said 'Thank You','' Eliza said excitedly.

After about 20 minutes walking the red carpet, taking bunch after bunch of flowers, the Queen waved and moved on to the royal tram.

After the Occupy Melbourne protests, black glove-wearing police checked men who didn't look to fit in, running checks on their names.

No details of arrests were immediately available.

After a short ride down St Kilda Rd the Queen was then driven in her Range Rover to Government House for a reception and lunch.

A group of anti-carbon tax protesters assembled near Government House, armed with banners reading "Welcome, your Majesty, please dissolve parliament," and "carbon tax corruption".

Inside Government House the Queen mingled with everyday Victorians, current and former politicians and former governors.

But there was a clear focus on everyday Victorians, particularly flood and fire victims.

The Queen then had a lunch with 60 VIPs in the state drawing room before signing a guest book and an official photograph

She left Government House at about 2.45pm, making her way back to the airport where she flew to Perth for the final stop on her royal tour.

The Queen visits the Clontarf Aboriginal College and attend a state reception at Government House in Perth hosted by WA Premier Colin Barnett.

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