The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh attended their last service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, before they return to London following their winter break in Norfolk.

Dressed in a pink suit, Her Majesty arrived at church in her Bentley for the 11am service today, while her husband walked from Sandringham house to the church.

It was a beautiful, sunny day and the duke joked with well-wishers: 'Mind you don't get sunburnt.'

Among those waiting in the sunshine was Gaye Cummins, from London, who had been staying with friends. She said: 'I like the Queen. I've seen her before. I work at a museum in London and she came to visit. We all had to line-up to greet her. I find the Royal Family fascinating; all the pageantry that is around them.'

Joan Ispill, who was with Nancy Scales, both from Dereham, visited before a walk in Hunstanton.

'We met someone we knew who said the Queen would be at Sandringham, so we came here first. It was a bonus for us,' they said.

Royal watcher Mary Relph also attended the service, which was conducted by the Rev Jonathan Riviere, rector of Sandringham.