Australians welcome their Queen

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh have arrived in Australia for a five-day tour, during which she will open the Commonwealth Games.

The Queen and Prince Philip will visit Canberra and Sydney before opening the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, while in Sydney, The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh accompanied by the Earl of Wessex will take part in the Commonwealth Day celebrations on 13 March.

The Prime Minister of Australia, the leaders of the opposition and other government officials will meet with the Queen in Canberra on 14 March. On that day, the Duke of Edinburgh will undertake separate engagements which includes a visit to the Australian National Herbarium.

In the evening of 15 March, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will meet tour guides, ladies celebrating their 80th birthdays, and emergency services workers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. After the Queen and Prince Philip will open the Commonwealth Games 2006.

Royal aides insist that despite her advancing age, this is not the Queen's farewell tour of Australia.

The Queen will then fly to Singapore for a two-day State visit.

Click here to view pictures of The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrival.