Queen Elizabeth has been spotted in public for the first time since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shocked the world with their decision to step back as senior royal family members.
Sporting a dog-print headscarf and driving a black range rover, the monarch shot dagger eyes at photographers on Saturday (NZ time) near Sandringham as her family remains in unprecedented turmoil. In the back of the car was a dog looking rather bewildered. She was reportedly on her way to a shoot on the estate.
The footage is the first captured of the icon since her grandson and his wife released a statement saying they wanted to become financially independent, splitting their time between the United Kingdom and North America.
That "personal message" sent shockwaves around the globe and was responded to by Buckingham Palace with a curt statement saying discussions were only in early stages.
Since then, reports have emerged suggesting the Queen is furious that Harry ignored her order not to speak publicly about his plans until a more thought-out plan had been devised. Prince Charles and William are also said to be incandescent with rage, with the pair only receiving copies of the statement 10 minutes before it was released to the public.
A four-way conference call between the Queen, Charles, William and Harry is said to have happened on Friday, with the foursome looking at "workable solutions" to the drama. Those plans are believed to be progressing "at pace".
Meghan Markle has fled to Canada, where her son Archie is currently based with a nanny. Harry is expected to meet them back in Vancouver next week.
Both Harry and Meghan have been under an intense media spotlight since their highly-publicised marriage in 2018.
Late last year, the pair said they were suing Associated Newspapers over the publication of a private letter - a rare move for members of the royal family who normally ignore press comment.
They have been criticised by some traditionalists for breaking royal protocol and conventions, including recently when the pair didn't attend the Queen's Christmas celebrations. Instead they visited Canada with their son Archie and Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland. Despite the disapproval, the pair said the Queen gave her permission for this.
However, the Duke and Duchess have also been applauded for their commitment to progressive ideals, rallying behind women, wildlife campaigns and climate change advocates.
