Cheers Ma'am. The Queen appears to indulge in her favourite tipple as she entertains new Commonwealth leaders

After an early start, a landmark speech and the not-insignificant task of charming the leaders of 53 countries, even the Queen might have needed a moment to relax.

And she appeared in her element yesterday as she welcomed new leaders of the Commonwealth with a afternoon drinks reception, clutching what appeared to be her favourite tipple.

The Queen, long rumoured to enjoy a gin and dubonnet, smiled broadly as she sipped a plum-coloured drink, clearly enjoying the company of new friends.

She hosted a lunchtime reception for 16 presidents and prime ministers who have become heads of government in the two years since the last meeting in Malta.

The small reception, also attended by the Prince of Wales took place in Buckingham Palace's 1844 room amid the sand-coloured flocked wallpaper, towering pillars set against the walls and large oval gilt edged mirrors.

Among the attendees were the New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern,  South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Jamaican PM Andrew Michael Holness.

The Prince of Wales, whose third grandchild is due to be born to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge any day now, chatted warmly to Ms Ardern, who is expecting her first child in June.

The Queen, wearing a printed silk dress and jacket in shades of jade green by Angela Kelly, and the Queen Mother's seashell diamond brooch, greeted leaders as they made their way into the room, sipping at an unidentified drink.

In 2009, the Telegraph reported that the Queen favoured gin and dubonnet, made from one part gin and two parts fortified wine, with ice and lemon. 

The reception was the second event of a busy day of entertaining, which also saw her host a formal dinner at Buckingham Palace in the evening.