The Queen spent Friday at Newbury Racecourse in Berkshire. Credit: David Davies/PA Wire
The Queen will celebrate her 87th birthday tomorrow privately, Buckingham Palace has said, with Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh believed to be staying at Windsor Castle.
The monarch's milestone - in a year which in June marks the 60th anniversary of her coronation - will be honoured across the UK with traditional gun salutes fired in celebration.
But as her birthday falls on a Sunday this year the military tributes will be held on Monday.
Queen Elizabeth II has two birthdays - her actual birthday celebrated on April 21 and her official one in June, which is marked with the Trooping the Colour parade.
The Queen leads royals at Sandringham church service
The Queen was joined by the Countess of Wessex at St Mary Magdalene Church. Credit: Steve Parsons/PA Wire
The Queen has joined the Duke of Edinburgh and the Earl and Countess of Wessex in attending a church service at Sandringham today.
The royals sang hymns including O Little Town Of Bethlehem during the 40-minute service at St Mary Magdalene Church.
Her Majesty was greeted by around 200 wellwishers at the church. Credit: Steve Parsons/PA Wire
Prince William and Kate had been tipped to attend having spent Christmas Day with the Middletons in Bucklebury, Berks.
But it is understood the couple paid a brief visit to the Queen's Norfolk residence this week, and attended a shoot on the estate, before leaving ahead of today's service.
Buerk takes swipe at George Entwistle in BBC attack
Referring to the way June's Thames river pageant was covered by the BBC, Michael Buerk said:
Nobody knew anything and nobody cared. The main presenter couldn't even work out what to call the Queen. The Dunkirk Little Ships, the most evocative reminders of this country's bravest hour, were ignored so that a pneumatic bird-brain from Strictly Come Dancing could talk to transvestites in Battersea Park. I was so ashamed of the BBC, I would have wept if I hadn't been so angry.
Much of the blame for the Jubilee coverage was directed at George Entwistle, the then head of BBC Vision who went on to become director-general.
Referring to Mr Entwistle's short-lived tenure at the top, after resigning in the light of the Jimmy Savile scandal, the former 999 presenter went on:
The worst thing was that it was deliberate - planned that way to be 'light' and 'inclusive'. The BBC actually congratulated itself, and the executive ultimately responsible (George Entwistle) was promptly promoted to become the most disastrous director-general in the corporation's history.
Camilla returns to public duty after brief illness
Guide puppy Badger stroked by The Duchess of Cornwall and Kimberley Walsh with Diamond Champion volunteer Madeline Mason (centre) Credit: Press Association
The Duchess of Cornwall and Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh celebrated the achievements of Madeline Mason named a Champion for her community work as a Guide Dogs volunteer.
It was a return to public duty after a brief illness for Camilla who cuddled puppies invited to Clarence House as she learnt about Mr's Mason's work.
The royal reception had been planned for the start of the month but the Duchess had to cancel the event because of a severe ear infection and sinusitis. "I'm sorry if I'm a bit deaf, I've got bad sinusitis problems," Camilla told guests.
The Duchess and singer posed with Mrs Mason, 65, from Luton and one puppy called Badger a 15-week-old Labrador retriever. Walsh is an ambassador for the Diamond Champions award scheme that recognises voluntary contributions of the over-60s.
