Britain's Queen Elizabeth signed the Commonwealth's historic charter on Monday night (March 11), despite still recovering from the symptoms of gastroenteritis.

Making her first official public appearance for more than a week she described the document as capturing "the core values and aspirations" of the family of nations, before putting her name to it.

The Queen was forced to miss the annual Commonwealth Day service as she was still recovering.

But she looked well and in good spirits when she arrived at Marlborough House in central London, home of the Commonwealth, with the Duke of Edinburgh for the signing.

Before the ceremony began she told guests who included High Commissioners from across the globe: "The Charter I will sign today, on behalf of you all, represents a significant milestone as the Commonwealth continues its journey of development and renewal."

For the first time one document has been agreed by the 54 member states which enshrines a compre