Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, has brushed aside concerns for her health after she started to tremble convulsively during a welcoming ceremony for the Ukrainian president in Berlin on Tuesday.

Video footage shows Mrs Merkel desperately trying to stop herself from shaking as she stands for the German national anthem during a military ceremony near the Chancellery.

The 64 year old can be seen repeatedly clasping her hands in an attempt to maintain composure while her whole body shakes violently.

But the worrying episode subsided relatively quickly.

Shortly afterwards, Mrs Merkel was seen walking away unaided from the ceremony with Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Mrs Merkel, who is set to stand down as German leader at the end of the current parliament in 2021, does not have any known health problems.

Throughout her career she has gained a reputation for rarely missing a day of work due to ill health.

Colleagues often comment approvingly on her ability to shrug off the stresses of Germany's highest office, which she has held for 14 years.