Queen Mother thrills crowd

The Queen Mother arrives at Crathie Church

CRATHIE, Scotland -- The 101-year-old Queen Mother Elizabeth has made a public appearence just days after her second hospital visit in as many months.

The Queen Mother waved to well-wishers who gathered on Sunday to watch the royal family attend church near their Scottish estate.

The media have been speculating about the health of Queen Elizabeth II's much-loved mother since she was hospitalised last month for a blood transfusion to treat anemia.

The Queen Mother, who is vacationing with her eldest daughter and family at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, missed the traditional Highland Games in the Scottish village of Braemar on September 1, because doctors advised her to rest.

She underwent unspecified tests at a hospital in Aberdeen the next day, but was well enough to go to church that afternoon.

On Sunday, she walked the few steps from her limousine into Crathie Church's side entrance on her own, leaning heavily on a cane.

She later walked down the church steps on her way out, and stopped to wave to a crowd of about 60 well-wishers.

"We are absolutely delighted to see her in church," said the Rev. Bob Sloan.

The royal matriarch, in a turquoise dress and matching hat, worshipped with Queen Elizabeth II, her husband, Prince Philip, their son, Prince Edward, and his wife, the former Sophie Rhys-Jones.