The 26-year-old singer has been keeping a somewhat low profile since she was hospitalized for psychiatric treatment earlier this year, lost custody of her two young sons and was legally placed under the conservatorship of her father. She appeared, but did not perform, at the MTV Music Awards show this fall and sang part of a song, but didn't dance, on stage with her friend and mentor Madonna at a recent concert.

The BBC said the outfit Spears wore to the Bambis -- consisting of hot pants, fishnet tights and a black top hat -- resembled an ensemble Madonna sported on her recently wrapped "Sticky and Sweet" tour.

Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld presented Spears with the Bambi for best international pop star, describing her as returning to the spotlight "not only as a phoenix but as a bird of paradise."

Spears, whose latest album is set for release in the United Kingdom Monday, is slated to perform on the British TV talent show "The X Factor" Saturday.