Queen ready to take part in royal festivities

Loyal crowds will be waiting for their visit to church on Christmas Day

When it comes to ill-health, the royals and their advisers don't disseminate too much detail.

The head of state and her husband, they argue, are entitled to the same privacy as any other individual.

The heavy colds that had delayed their departure from Buckingham Palace had clearly improved enough to allow the 90-year-old monarch and the 95-year-old duke to make the journey.

They can now take part in the royal ritual, which was started by Queen Victoria, of opening presents on Christmas Eve.

The nature of their recovery will be in evidence the next day when the dedicated tend to gather at Sandringham for a glimpse of the Windsors going to church.

The Queen is normally driven there on Christmas Day.

In the past, Prince Philip - even when recovering from serious ailments - has favoured walking the short distance from his wife's private Norfolk home.

Read the news story here.