Queen Elizabeth's visits to Canberra in pictures

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip arrived in style to Floriade during their visit to Canberra in 2011. Picture: Graham Tidy

Queen Elizabeth II visited Canberra 14 times over the years, her final visit in 2011, with one of the most memorable images her and Prince Philip sailing on a navy barge up Lake Burley Griffin to visit Floriade.

The Queen greets the crowd at Fairbairn as she arrives for her 2006 tour. Picture by Melissa Adams

National Capital Authority manager of attractions Roslyn Hull earlier this year curated The Queen and Me exhibition, about Canberrans' stories of meeting the monarch.

"There have been 16 royal visits to Australia and all but two have been to Canberra," Hull said at the time.

Part of the crowd that gathered on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin in 2011 to watch the Queen and Prince Philip sail from Government House to Floriade. Picture by Graham Tidy

Now, Canberrans are waking on Friday morning to the end of an era. The Queen, a constant in our lives, has passed away, aged 96.

Early risers such as Donna Bush, from Canberra, reacted with sadness to the passing of a woman who had simply always been there.

"She woman who truly dedicated her life to public service. I'm incredibly sad but WOW! What a woman!" Ms Bush said.

Winston the corgi from Bruce (and her owner Francyne Broughton) made it to Government House to welcome the Queen in 2006 as she arrived at Government House. Picture by Gary Schafer

"I'm shedding a tear, it's so terribly sad. She's always been in our lives - the epitome of grace and dignity."

The Queen with Floriade head gardener Andrew Forster and then Chief Minister Katy Gallagher in 2011 during her final visit to Canberra. Picture by Marina Neil.

Roslyn Hull says putting together the Queen and Me exhibition, she noticed there was a common reaction from people who did meet the Queen - a mixture of awe, but also the startling realisation she was also human.

Then 11-year-old Elizabeth Wilks was there to meet the Queen as she arrived at Government House in 2011. Picture by Stuart Walmsley

"There is the story of another little girl chosen to give flowers to the Queen and she practised curtsying and she told her mum afterwards, 'Mum, it was like talking to your grandma. She was so tiny and soft'," Hull said, at the time.

The Queen meets emergency services personnel at Government House in 2006. Picture by Melissa Adams

Fadden Primary School student Hannah Murrells presented a posy to Queen Elizabeth at Fairbairn in 2011. Picture supplied

The Queen visits the War Memorial in 2011. Picture by Graham Tidy

Judith Clingan with the Queen in Canberra in 1986. "I received my Order of Australia award from the hands of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I. Of course, I had bought a new outfit and new shoes. And, of course, I had to learn how to curtsey, which was a bit tricky with a bad knee." Picture supplied

Stephen Hull submitted this 1977 photograph to The Queen and Me exhibition. Then 20, he was a platoon commander at 6 Battalion, RAR when he was chosen to be part of the 6th Battalion Colour Party. "[I] only saw the Queen when she was on the dais and the drive past, as the Colours I was holding obscured my view. I am in the front row, right of centre."

Mary Stuart (right) meeting the Queen at Thoroughbred Park in 1988: "My husband Dugald Stuart (now deceased) was chairman of the ACT Racing Club. I was given the task of serving the Queen afternoon tea. We also attended a dinner at the new Parliament House the following evening where I remember the Queen crossing the room to say hello to my husband and thank him for the lovely day at the races." Picture supplied

Committee members of the Australian Monarchist League, prepare a banner for the 2011 visit Canberra by Queen Elizabeth (l-r) Fluer Wimborne of Ngunnawal, Patricia Coulthard of Palmerston and Garth Leggatt of Wanniassa. Picture by Graham Tidy

Then seven-months-old Ellie Wallbaum of Dunlop was dressed in her finest to meet the Queen at Fairbairn in 2006. Picture by Vikky Wilkes

The Queen meeting a crowd of Canberrans in 1974. Picture by The Canberra Times

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh watch a flypast in Canberra in 1977. Picture by The Canberra Times

Visiting Parliament House in 1977. Picture by The Canberra Times

The Queen greets children at the War Memorial in 2011. Picture by Karleen Minney

The Queen lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in 2011. Picture by Karleen Minney

The Queen at the Royal Military College Duntroon for the changing of the colours ceremony. Picture by Karleen Minney

"It's interesting. There seems to be a theme in the responses of 'It felt like [the encounter] went on a lot longer than it did'.

The crowd at Parliament House for a past royal tour. Picture supplied

"There also seems to be this feeling of it being a great honour to actually meet the Queen or give her flowers or anything like that. And the other part was just realising she is a real person - that was just a gob-smacking moment for people."

Queen Elizabeth visited Bonython Primary School in 1992. Picture supplied

Captains Flat mum Claire Louise Hooker, originally from England, said she was "incredibly sad" to hear the news of the Queen's passing.

"Our family grieves with her family and the nations. Even though we never knew her personally we feel a great connection to her and her legacy," Mrs Hooker said.

"She was a great and strong woman and an inspiration until the end. May she rest in peace."

• The Queen and Me exhibition is still on at the The National Capital Exhibition, Regatta Point, until December 31. Entry is free
  

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