Queen Elizabeth met with Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff at Rideau Hall Friday, on a day when the Royals Couple is taking a break from their hectic visit to Canada.

Ignatieff and the Queen chatted in the large drawing room at the Governor General's official residence.

Ignatieff later told reporters that the Queen had requested the meeting, and although he wasn't sure why she did, he jumped at the chance.

"You're looking at the most experienced political figure in the world," Ignatieff said. "Any time you get a chance to meet the Queen, you say 'yes' right away."

The meeting was Her Majesty's only appointment Friday. But the 84-year-old monarch's timecard will fill up again this weekend.

She will spend Saturday at a series of events in Winnipeg before returning to Toronto for the Queen's Plate -- her second time attending Canada's oldest horse race. 

On Thursday, she presided over lively Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill. She addressed the thousands gathered for the festivities, telling them they should be proud of what their country has accomplished in 143 years.

"I've been a witness to this country for more than half its life since Confederation. I have watched with enormous admiration how Canada has grown and matured while remaining true to its history, its distinctive character, and its values," the Queen said.

"This nation has dedicated itself to being a caring home for its own, a sanctuary for others and an example to the world."

Wearing a red suit, white gloves and white hat festooned with a red silk flower, Her Majesty arrived for the celebrations with Prince Philip in a horse-drawn carriage, with a mounted RCMP escort. They were greeted by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his family.

After the address, the Queen went on a walkabout and met some of the roughly 100,000 people who gathered on the Hill.

Harry Armstrong was part of an RCMP escort at the Queen's coronation ceremony in London in 1953. On Wednesday, he attended the Royal reception at Rideau Hall, marking his fifth encounter with Her Majesty.

"She said ‘Good day,' and then the Duke stopped and shook hands," Armstrong told Canada AM from Ottawa. "I said I was in the coronation parade, and then he continued on."

Armstrong was introduced to the monarch near the end of her walkabout. "As the Queen approached, they said 'This is Mr. Armstrong,' and the Queen put out her hand and I shook her hand quietly, gently."

The Ottawa man still remembers his first glimpse of the Queen 57 years ago, when he was just 25 years old.

"It was just exciting to be there," he said. It was the chance of a lifetime. I thought I might never see her again."

With files from The Canadian Press