29 DECEMBER 2003
The British royal family wrapped up the long Christmas weekend in style, donning their Sunday best for a church service at the Sandringham estate.

Queen Elizabeth II suffered a difficult week, dealing with the unexpected death of one of her beloved corgis and recovering from two recent surgical procedures. However, the monarch was clearly in cheerful spirits, wearing a bright green dress and a broad smile, when she was driven home from the St Mary Magdalene church alongside her daughter-in-law Sophie, Countess of Wessex.

Other members of the royal family who attended the service included Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Prince Edward and Prince Andrew, who was accompanied by his two daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

The event was the second public appearance for the monarch since undergoing knee surgery as well as an operation to remove lesions from her face earlier this month. Walking with the aid of a cane, the Queen also stepped out on December 25 to attend the traditional Christmas Day service.

Arriving by car, rather than on foot as she has in the past, the Queen was joined by her family, including her grandchildren Peter and Zara Phillips. Also attending both services were Timothy Laurence and his wife the Princess Royal, whose own dog caused the royal corgi's death last Monday.