Canadians behind the Queen

The Queen was admired for her fashion sense

The Queen appears to be going down a storm on her tour of Canada despite calls from republicans for an end to the monarchy.

Thousands of well-wishers have turned out to greet her, while even the Canadian press has been supportive.

She and Prince Philip were in Hamilton, Ontario, on Thursday, half way through their 12-day Golden Jubilee tour of the country.

Eighteen thousand filled an arena to watch the Queen, who is the colonel-in-chief of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, present the regiment with new colours.

Her Maj has suddenly become Her Modness.

Toronto Star

Earlier in the day, in a Toronto suburb, she named Sheridan College's media school, The Golden Jubilee Journalism New Media Centre.

There, students had made an animated film showing Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) extending greetings to the Queen on her Golden Jubilee.

Large crowds of well wishers followed her wherever she went.

The BBC's royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell thought the reason she was being greeted with such respect was because she is "different".

"In Canada anything or anyone who underlines Canada's difference from its southern neighbour tends to be cherished," he said.

'Fashion hottie'

Not all commentators were so supportive.

One columnist writing in the Globe and Mail, urged Canadians to end "this vestige of the country's colonial past".

Presenting the new regimental colours

"Parading the Queen of England as the font of all legitimacy, loyalty and power is an affront to the free and independent nation that Canada has become," he wrote.

However, the Queen had a least one fan - fashion journalist Rosie di Manno.

Admiring the royal style in the Toronto Star, Ms di Manno said: "Her Maj has suddenly become Her Modness.

"During this 22nd royal tour of Canada, the Queen has cut a chic figure.

"Late in life, in the season of her Golden Jubilee, the Queen has blossomed into a fashion hottie."