THE Queen was handed a present for her corgis yesterday as she recovered sufficiently from a cold to join the other royals at their traditional Christmas Day church service at Sandringham.

A girl stepped forward from the crowd of 50 young well-wishers to give the monarch a present of dog treats.

The Queen had been unable to attend Sunday's service as she recovered from the cold. But she appeared cheerful as she arrived at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate.

Wearing a turquoise coat, dress and matching hat, she was wished a merry Christmas by about 1000 well-wishers.

The Queen used her Christmas broadcast to respond to the outpouring of affection and enthusiasm shown by the nation during her Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

She described how she was left humbled by the huge crowds that turned out to mark her historic milestone.

As the year draws to a close, she said she was struck by the "strength of fellowship and friendship" from well-wishers.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games were another highlight of 2012 for the Queen, who said: "All those who saw the achievement and courage at the Olympic and Paralympic Games were further inspired by the skill, dedication, training and teamwork of our athletes."

The thousands of volunteer Game Makers were also singled out for praise by the Queen.