4 March 2013 Last updated at 09:53 ET

Queen leaves hospital after stomach bug

The Queen has left hospital in central London after being assessed for gastroenteritis symptoms.

She was taken to London's King Edward VII's Hospital on Sunday - her first hospital stay in 10 years.

Buckingham Palace said the Queen, 86, was admitted as a precaution and was otherwise in "good health".

All official engagements for this week, including a visit to Rome, were either cancelled or postponed. She also missed St David's Day celebrations in Swansea.

A Bentley arrived to take the Queen to Buckingham Palace on Monday afternoon.

"Good spirits"

On Sunday, the Queen was driven from Windsor Castle, where she had been resting. She had carried out a private medal presentation earlier in the day.

But she had missed the military ceremony in Wales on Saturday due to the stomach bug.

A spokesman for the Queen said she was in "good spirits" and her admission was "a precautionary measure".

Gastroenteritis causes inflammation of the stomach lining and intestines.

The infection can be transmitted through contact with an infected person or contaminated food and drink. Symptoms can include vomiting, fever and stomach ache.

The Queen's treatment, which has not been disclosed, may have included rehydration and tests to establish if the illness was caused by an infection or an underlying problem.

The Queen last received treatment 10 years ago, again at the King Edward VII's hospital, for a minor knee operation. At the same time, surgeons removed minor, non-cancerous lesions from her face.

Next weekend, she had been due to spend two days in Rome with the Duke of Edinburgh, at the invitation of Italy's President Giorgio Napolitano.

It is not clear whether the visit will be re-scheduled.

A reception at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday for MPs and MEPs will go ahead with other members of the Royal Family present.