The Tragically Hip, Oscar Peterson, dancer Rex Harrington and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra entertained Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at a gala evening in Toronto.

Earlier in the day, the royal couple followed separate itineraries, with the Queen visiting soldiers and students, and the Duke playing matchmaker to recipients of the awards he created.

The Queen spent Thursday afternoon in Hamilton, presenting new regimental colours to Argyll and Sutherland, a regiment of which she is colonel-in-chief. About 3,000 veterans, former members of the Argylls and friends gathered in Hamilton's Copps Coliseum to see the Queen present the ceremonial flags of the regiment.

In the morning, she got a first-hand look at the world-renowned animation program at Sheridan College, located in Oakville about 30 minutes away from the Toronto area. Dressed in a royal blue coat and hat, the Queen smiled and chatted with students seated at computers as she was led through the college's journalism program and graphic arts program.

During the tour, she took in an animation project by student Andrew Kim. It was a short film featuring Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, during a royal visit in 1860.

The Queen also unveiled a plaque renaming the journalism centre to the Golden Jubilee Journalism New Media Centre. Just before the unveiling, one student held up a sign that said "Hook me up with Prince William." But she hastily pulled it away as the monarch approached.

Matchmaker Duke

Prince Philip stayed in Toronto, where he went to Massey College at the University of Toronto to be inducted as the first Honourary Senior Fellow of the College.

Afterwards, he presented Duke of Edinburgh's Awards, to honour youth who have followed a program of physical and mental development. At one point during the presentation, the unpredictable prince strayed from the itinerary while greeting the winners when he spied two sets of twins and decided to spark a love connection.

Upon coming across twin brothers Adam and Matthew Baxter, he dashed a few steps over to the spot where he had just met twin sisters Kathyrn and Ashley Houlden of Toronto. To everyone's surprise, he grabbed the girls and made a formal introduction between the two pairs. There were smiles and red faces all around.

"It was fun, but kind of embarrassing,'' Ashley told CTV affiliate CFTO.

"It was a bit random... to have them pull you and go: I've got people for you to meet'' said Kathryn Houlden. ``It was kind of cool, though.''

"I definitely didn't expect anything like that,'' said Adam Baxter. "I thought this'd be a very formal ceremony but you have to keep it light sometimes.''

The Queen leaves Toronto on Friday and flies to New Brunswick for two days. Then it's off to Ottawa and Gatineau, Que., before leaving Canada on Monday.