About 200 people gathered to catch a glimpse of the Queen as she arrived for her first church service since arriving at her Sandringham retreat for Christmas.

Eastern Daily Press: The Duke of Edinburgh leaves church at Sandringham on Sunday morning. Picture: Matthew Usher.The Duke of Edinburgh leaves church at Sandringham on Sunday morning. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: © ARCHANT NORFOLK 2013)

The Duke of Edinburgh arrived at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham on foot before Her Majesty - wearing a full-length dark pink coat and hat - arrived in a Range Rover.

Eastern Daily Press: The Queen attends church at Sandringham on Sunday morning. Picture: Matthew Usher.The Queen attends church at Sandringham on Sunday morning. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: © ARCHANT NORFOLK 2013)

She turned and waved to the crowd before going in and emerged from the service after approximately 45mins, where a queue of children from 1st Hunstanton Scout Group were waiting to give her flowers.

Liam Nicol, leader of the scout section, said: 'It was hard to contain their excitement. They'll remember this for years to come.'

Phillipa Poignand's daughter Sophia, 5, was one of those who got to meet the Monarch. The 47-year-old - who travelled from Jersey - said it was a 'real honour' for her and her family to see the Queen.

Peter Darley, 18, from Spalding in Lincolnshire, said it was 'wonderful to see the Queen in person'.