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- Queen Elizabeth has attended her first audience at Windsor Castle in two weeks.
- Her Majesty awarded a medal on concert organist Thomas Trotter.
- Royal watchers have taken the engagement as a positive sign amid concerns over the monarch's health following her hospitalisation.
Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday was pictured holding an audience at Windsor Castle in her first such appearance in two weeks as concerns mount over the monarch's state of health.
The 95-year-old was shown smiling as she bestowed a medal on concert organist Thomas Trotter, while standing close to a chair.
The Queen was last pictured holding an audience on 24 November, when she received the Governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey.
In October, royal officials said the monarch had spent the night at a private hospital in central London after unspecified tests. Aides insisted the overnight stay was for "practical reasons" and she had resumed "light duties" shortly afterwards. However, she subsequently withdrew from a planned appearance at the UN climate change summit in Scotland in November, represented instead by her son, Prince Charles. She also did not attend the annual Remembrance Sunday event honouring Britain's war dead on 14 November due to a "sprained back".
Since then she has cut down on her engagements and held some meetings online, while she attended the christening of two of her great-grandchildren on 21 November.
The reigning monarch, however, seems to be in good spirits following her latest Windsor audience, and in anticipation of her Platinum Jubilee next year.
Eagle-eyed royal watchers were also quick to spot a previously unseen photo of the queen's great-grandchildren perched upon her desk during the engagement, hopeful we may get a better look during the queen's annual Christmas address.
No word yet as to whether the queen will be up to addressing the nation.
