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Photo: The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth signs the Commonwealth Charter at a reception at Marlborough House, London, Monday March 11, 2013. The Charter is an historic document which brings together, for the first time in the associations 64-year history, key declarations on Commonwealth principles. (AP Photo/PA, Philip Toscano) 

Queen Elizabeth II attended a London reception to celebrate Commonwealth Day on Monday, her first public appearance since she was briefly hospitalized for a stomach illness.

The monarch appeared in good spirits, although earlier in the day she had to pull out of another event. Buckingham Palace officials said the 86-year-old queen was still getting over a bout of gastroenteritis that led to her first hospitalization in a decade last week.

Wearing a mint and silver ensemble, Elizabeth made a brief speech at the ceremony held at Marlborough House in central London. After that she signed a new charter setting out the Commonwealth's values and commitment to equal rights.

The queen had to cancel several engagements, including a visit to Rome, last week because of illness. The one-day hospitalization raised concerns about the general health of the queen, who has rarely taken time off her duties due to illness.

But the palace says she remains in robust health.

"The queen hopes to undertake some of her official engagements planned for the rest of the week," the palace said.