Queen Marks 100 Years At Oz Military College

A veteran soldier awarded the Military Cross in 1953 has met the Queen once again as she presented new royal colours to Australia's top officer training college.

Arthur 'Bushey' Pembroke, 83, was in the crowd to proudly watch his granddaughter Harriet Pembroke, 26, take part in the parade.

She is training in the same college her grandfather - awarded for bravery during his service in Korea - attended decades earlier.

Mr Pembroke chatted to Her Majesty during a garden party after she presented new Queen's colours and Regimental colours to the Royal Military College, Duntroon, based in Canberra.

The ex-officer said: "She impressed me a great deal, and has right from the time I (first) met her.

"Her dedication and loyalty and determination to carry out her duty as she sees it, I think it is the sort of thing we have always admired."

Commenting on the Queen's tour of Australia at the age of 85 with the Duke of Edinburgh, he joked: "I had enough trouble driving up from Sydney, but her coming is a remarkable feat and shows she's very dedicated."

Sky News asked Ms Pembroke if she was more nervous that her grandfather or the Queen was watching her marching technique.

She said: "I have to be very diplomatic here don't I!

"When I marched past the Queen I was nervous but when I marched towards where I knew Bushey was sitting I put a bit of extra effort into my left form."

Sounding as if she may still have a cold, the Queen gave a short speech to the 100-year-old establishment.

"The college has held an esteemed position in the training of Australian officers for war and peace time service over the past 100 years," she told cadets, college staff, military chiefs and families.

"The dedicated and outstanding service your graduates have provided to the nation is a milestone to be celebrated."

As the Australian military shared its traditions with the Queen, changes to an ancient royal tradition are being discussed .

Commonwealth leaders are expected to agree next week that in future first born daughters, not just sons, should be allowed to take the throne.