Queen Elizabeth meets Australian PM in Canberra

Queen Elizabeth II on Friday started the second day of her 10-days trip to Australia by setting up a formal meeting with Prime Minister Julia Gillard in Canberra. Gillard bowed twice, and shook Queen Elizabeth's hand as she arrived for the meeting in the Morning Room at the vice-regal residence in Yarralumla. The pair have exchanged pleasantries about Canberra's stunning weather and the Floriade flower festival. Gillard said she was glad the weather had been so good for the Queen's boat trip on Lake Burley Griffin earlier on Thursday. "It was very popular, there were lots of people to see the boat, " the Queen, who was wearing a fine wool turquoise jacquard dress by Angela Kelly, with black patent shoes and a handbag, said. Gillard, who wore a black skirt suit with a ruffled collar, and a ivory silk blouse, replied: "I suspect it was more popular because you were there." The Queen also said it had been "so nice" to see the flowers as well. The Queen's conversations with Australia's political leaders will remain confidential, but Gillard told reporters in Canberra after the meeting that it was lovely to see the Queen again. The Queen will receive Opposition leader Tony Abbott later at Government House in Canberra. She will also attend a parliamentary reception hosted by Gillard at Parliament House later on Friday's eventing.