Queen sings the praises of women changing society

The Queen was greeted by crowds from around the globe as she attended a service in London to celebrate Commonwealth Day.

The monarch arrived at Westminster Abbey alongside the Duke of Edinburgh, behind a backdrop of colourful flags fluttering in Parliament Square representing the 54 Commonwealth member states.

They were received by the Very Rev Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster, at the start of the annual Observance of Commonwealth Day service.

The essential role played by women around the world as "agents of change" formed the central theme of the Queen's Commonwealth Day message.

Singer and campaigner Annie Lennox spoke of the role played by the Commonwealth in addressing HIV.

Speaking about her first overseas visit as an envoy for the Scottish branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, she said: "Today, the enduring sense of friendship and co-operation between Scotland and Malawi is an example of the Commonwealth at its best."