Queen Elizabeth started the second day of her Australian tour with not one, but two, awkward bows from Julia Gillard.
The monarch spent the morning in meetings with the prime minister, and, later, Opposition leader Tony Abbott.
Gillard was the first to be received at Government House, greeting the queen with bows and a handshake instead of the customary curtsey.
In pictures: Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Australia
The prime minister and the queen discussed the latter’s visit to the Floriade flower show and Canberra’s sunny weather.
“It’s a beautiful morning again,” the monarch said.
The queen went on to say she was delighted with her visit to Floriade, and was touched volunteers had worked so hard to ensure the show, which officially closed last Sunday, was back to its full glory for her visit.
“I had no idea they do that every year. I can’t believe they did it all up,” she told the prime minister.
The rest of the queen’s conversation with Gillard and her later discussion with Abbott will remain confidential in accordance with royal protocol.
In pictures: Previous royal visits to Australia
The queen is expected to spend the rest of the afternoon resting before attending an official reception at Parliament House tonight.
She will make an address at the event, which is being hosted by Julia Gillard. It will be the monarch’s only public speech while she is in Canberra.
For photos from the reception and details of the queen’s speech, visit aww.com.au tomorrow morning.
Your say: Do you think Julia Gillard should have curtsied for the queen?
Video: Queen visits Floriade
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