Despite landing in Halifax on a dark and rainy day Monday afternoon, Queen Elizabeth told Canadians she is happy to be "home" as she begins her 22nd trip to Canada.
Despite the wet conditions, hundreds of spectators greeted the Queen at the city's Garrison Grounds, where she was met by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife, Laureen, and Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean and her husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond.
In a brief, bilingual speech, the Queen said she concurred with her mother, who once called Canada "a home away from home," and several times thanked Nova Scotians for their warm greeting.
"Canadians have through their own endeavours built a country and society which is widely admired across the world," the Queen said. "I'm fortunate to have been a witness to many of the developments and accomplishments of modern Canada. As Queen of Canada for nearly six decades, my pride in this country remains undimmed. Thank you again for your welcome. It is very good to be home."
Early Monday afternoon, the Queen stepped off the plane at Halifax's Stanfield International Airport with her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, following behind her.
After landing, the Queen and Prince Philip were driven to the Garrison Grounds. Other dignitaries on hand included Defence Minister Peter MacKay, Chief of Defence Staff Walt Natynczyk and Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter.
At the Garrison, the Queen was presented with a full Guard of Honour and a children's choir sang God Save the Queen.
Before the Queen spoke, the prime minister welcomed the Queen and Prince Philip to Canada in a brief speech.
"It is a great honour today, on behalf of the government and the people of Canada to welcome home to Canada Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh," Harper said.
"Your Majesty, this is your 22nd official tour of our country as Queen of Canada鈥e are honoured that you have given us so generously of your time. Each of your tours is etched in the memories of Canadians. The people you have met, and those who have witnessed your walkabouts or glimpsed your motorcade, those people treasure those experiences for a lifetime."
Earlier Monday, CTV's Atlantic Bureau Chief Todd Battis told CTV's Canada AM about the busy schedule the Queen is due to follow on her nine-day trip to parts of Nova Scotia, Ontario and Manitoba.
"It's incredible. She's 84 years old and the commitments she's keeping is quite extraordinary on this trip," Battis told CTV's Canada AM from Halifax on Monday morning.
After her official greeting, the Queen visited a traditional Mi'kmaq village that has been set up in the nearby Halifax Commons and also attended a rededication of the Government House, which has recently been renovated and updated.
Tomorrow, the Queen will review a fleet of 22 naval ships that are gathered in Halifax for an exercise. She and her husband will also have lunch with MacKay and Canadian Forces members.
By Canada Day, the Queen will travel to Ottawa, before moving on to Winnipeg, and then to the Toronto area, where she will stay for a few days before flying home on July 6.
Before they leave, the Queen and Prince Philip will pay a visit to the headquarters of BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion in Waterloo, Ont. On Sunday, the Queen will attend the 150th annual running of the Queen's Plate at Toronto's Woodbine Racetrack.
With files from The Canadian Press
