A warm reception greets Prince Philip at Sandringham, where he made his first public appearance after receiving heart treatment in hospital
The Duke of Edinburgh has been applauded by spectators as he walked to church for a New Year's Day service.
The 90-year-old was making his first public appearance after spending four nights in hospital over Christmas.Prince Philip was accompanied by Prince Edward for the 400m-walk on the family's Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
He left hospital in Cambridgeshire on Tuesday, having had a coronary stent fitted in a blocked artery after suffering chest pains on 23 December.
It is the most serious health scare that Philip has suffered.
Five hundred or so people, perhaps even more, flocked through the gates and lined the ropes just to get a glimpse of the Queen and of Prince Philip.
This is not the kind of open, public event that we see here on Christmas Day, the cameras weren't permitted to get particularly close, but nonetheless large numbers did come - far more than you would ordinarily expect.
What they saw was the Duke of Edinburgh walking to the church under his own steam, striding at the head of the royal party. Knowing what we do about his personality, how he prides himself on his public appearances, it's something that would have been very important to him.
And certainly it was very important to the members of the public who had come here to see the Royal Family. They clearly appreciated the effort he was making in walking to the church.
As he left, he gave a very warm wave, clearly appreciating the applause and the goodwill from all those who have wished him well during a difficult Christmas period.
This is not the kind of open, public event that we see here on Christmas Day, the cameras weren't permitted to get particularly close, but nonetheless large numbers did come - far more than you would ordinarily expect.
What they saw was the Duke of Edinburgh walking to the church under his own steam, striding at the head of the royal party. Knowing what we do about his personality, how he prides himself on his public appearances, it's something that would have been very important to him.
And certainly it was very important to the members of the public who had come here to see the Royal Family. They clearly appreciated the effort he was making in walking to the church.
As he left, he gave a very warm wave, clearly appreciating the applause and the goodwill from all those who have wished him well during a difficult Christmas period.
Hundreds of members of the public watched the arrival of the Royal Family, including the Queen and Countess of Wessex by car, for the service at 11:00 GMT.
"By deciding to walk, he is truly sending a clear message that he is putting the Christmas health scare very much behind him," said BBC News correspondent Mark Worthington, at Sandringham estate. The Queen gave a reading during the 45-minute service, which was broadcast to the crowd outside.
The duke was the first royal to leave the church and exchanged a few greetings with well-wishers before walking back home alone.
The Queen collected flowers from children after the service, while the Earl and Countess of Wessex chatted to the crowd.
Rest advised It had not been known whether the duke would attend the Sunday service at St Mary Magdalene church.
His hospital stay meant he missed the Royal Family's Christmas celebrations as well as the traditional Boxing Day shoot.
When he was discharged on 27 December, Buckingham Palace said no decision had been taken on his attendance at the service or how soon he would resume public engagements.
The prince is said to have been advised by doctors to rest.
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