Queen Elizabeth carries out first official engagements since hospital stay, holds virtual audience

Queen Elizabeth has returned to public duties almost a week after an overnight stay in hospital.

Her Majesty held not one but two virtual audiences from Windsor Castle in her first official engagements since doctors advised the royal to cancel a trip to Northern Ireland last Wednesday and rest.

The 95-year-old monarch also spent a night in hospital for the first time since 2013, when she was suffering from symptoms of gastroenteritis.

This time, Her Majesty was kept in at King Edward VII Hospital for what Buckingham Palace deemed "preliminary investigations" and released on Thursday morning.

"Following medical advice to rest for a few days, The Queen attended hospital on Wednesday afternoon for some preliminary investigations, returning to Windsor Castle at lunchtime today, and remains in good spirits," a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said in a statement issued last Thursday.

RELATED: Queen Elizabeth misses church to 'save her energy' for return to duties next week

In Tuesday's virtual audiences, the Queen met with the new ambassador for the Republic of Korea, Gunn Kim, who was joined by Hee Jung Lee.

Then in a second audience, Her Majesty met with the new Swiss ambassador, Markus Leitner and his wife.

Last Friday, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson told reporters Her Majesty had been back to work since returning from hospital.

"I am given to understand that actually Her Majesty is, characteristically, back at her desk at Windsor as we speak," he said.

The Queen is expected to be seen in public for the first time since the health scare later this week when she's expected to attend COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland.