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The queen, wearing a vibrant blue coat and hat, arrived with
her husband Prince Philip, 95, at St Mary Magdalene church in
Sandringham in eastern England, where she traditionally spends
the festive period on her country estate.
The trip to Sandringham was delayed by a day because both the
queen and Philip were laid low by heavy colds, Buckingham Palace
had said.
Her illness caused her to miss the Christmas Day service for the
first time in decades, disappointing a crowd of well-wishers who
had turned out to see the royal family.
The queen, who is the symbolic head of the Church of England,
also missed the New Year service a week later. The palace said
she was still recuperating.
She resumed official duties on Wednesday when she gave an honour
to a member of her staff in a private ceremony.
After more than six decades on the throne, the queen has cut
back on international tours but still regularly performs
official duties around Britain.
The palace said last month she would step down as patron of
several charities and other organisations to reduce her
workload.
(Story has been refiled to change byline)
(Writing by Paul Sandle)
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