Britain's 101-year-old Queen Mother appeared in public yesterday to attend church, allaying widespread fears over her health after she went to hospital for medical tests a week ago.
Helped out of a black limousine, the mother of Queen Elizabeth walked slowly up steps leading into Crathie Church near the Scottish royal estate at Balmoral, gripping a railing in one hand and two walking sticks in the other.
Pausing on her walking stick at the top of the steps, accompanied by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, she acknowledged a crowd of about 60 people.
"We are absolutely delighted to see her in church," the minister of Crathie church, the Rev Bob Sloan, said.
Her appearance followed days of public concern over her health and two recent trips to hospital.
Reports last week said Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, had cancelled a planned summer holiday because he did not want to be away from his grandmother.
Royal officials have refused to comment on Prince Charles's holiday plans, saying such matters are private, but Buckingham Palace was inundated with concerned calls from members of the public.
The Queen Mother had medical tests at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on September 1st.
She was discharged from hospital on the same day and was well enough to attend church a day later.
In August, she was given a blood transfusion at a London hospital after being diagnosed as having anaemia and mild heat exhaustion.
Known to many as the "Queen Mum", the Queen Mother's was the consort of Britain's wartime King George VI. Her position at the top of royal popularity polls in Britain earned her the title of "the nation's favourite grandmother".