CANBERRA, March 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip arrived here on Sunday to begin their five-day tour of Australia.

    A crowd of about 400 people cheered and waved English and Australian flags upon the royal couple's arrival at Fairbairn airport.

    The royal couple were met by Australian Prime Minister John Howard and his wife Janette, as well as Governor-General Michael Jeffery and his wife.

    It is the Queen's 15th visit to Australia, after last visiting in 2002 for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

    The royal couple will stay overnight in Canberra before official public engagements begin in Sydney on Monday.

    They will open the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne on Wednesday before leaving for Singapore on Thursday. Enditem