Jordan's Queen Rania has made her first public appearance since undergoing heart surgery.
The 40-year-old royal - who was admitted to a New York hospital last month for treatment to regulate her Heartbeat - visited the sights and sounds of the Jordanian city of Salt, and surprised pupils at a local school by dropping in on their classes yesterday (12.10.10).
Life is in perfect balance. It's just that our perception of it isn't. With time I've found that I have more confidence; I'm more sure-footed and I don't fret over things.
Students at the Salt Secondary School for Girls enquired about the queen's health, while she asked about their favourite lessons, the Jordan Times reports.
During her day-long visit, Rania was also briefed on the latest renovation plans for the area, which include cleaning building facades and changing shop doors and windows, as well as revamping the Salt Grand Mosque.
The plans are hoped to help to rejuvenate the city and make it a more attractive destination for international tourists.
The queen - who celebrated her 40th birthday in August - recently admitted she has developed a better sense of self-confidence as she has grown older.
She said: "I still feel like I'm a kid inside. Popular culture has us believe that time is the enemy, and that it takes away from us, that it diminishes us. I've found that it's done the opposite to me.
"Life is in perfect balance. It's just that our perception of it isn't. With time I've found that I have more confidence; I'm more sure-footed and I don't fret over things."
