Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip braved the snow for a village church service on Sunday, the eve of the Diamond Jubilee marking 60 years of Elizabeth's reign.

The queen was wrapped up in a golden brown coat as she entered the snow-covered church of St Peter and St Paul in Norfolk, for a 45-minute service.

Afterwards the 85-year-old monarch received flowers from local children outside the picturesque church, which lies in the private Sandringham estate where the royal family spent Christmas.

Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, appeared to be in good health after spending Christmas in hospital with a blocked coronary artery.

The 90-year-old had been due afterwards to attend a parade for the Royal British Legion, a charity for members of the armed forces, but it was cancelled because of the icy weather.

Monday marks Accession Day, 60 years since Elizabeth rose to the throne after the death of her father King George VI.

The day will not be marked by major celebrations, in contrast to the pomp and splendour that will fete the jubilee over the coming months.

The sovereign usually spends February 6, the anniversary of her father's death, in private, but she has two engagements planned in Norfolk for Accession Day.

She will visit King's Lynn Town Hall before watching local children perform a play about her 60-year reign at the nearby Dersingham Infant and Nursery School.

The low-key engagements kick off a series of events culminating in a flotilla of 1,000 boats sailing up the River Thames on June 3, led by the queen in a barge decorated in royal scarlet and gold and adorned with flowers.

The queen and Prince Philip will kick off a British tour next month, while other members of the royal family, led by Prince Charles and Prince William, will set off on a global tour lasting several weeks.

The main diamond jubilee festivities have been scheduled over four days on June 2-5, in the hope of fine weather, with a special national holiday declared.