The Queen put on a brave face as she boarded a train back to London just hours after telling the world that her 'favourite' grandson is to separate from his wife.
A statement issued on behalf of Peter and Autumn Phillips this morning confirmed the pair are splitting after 12 years, saying it's "the best course of action for their two children and ongoing friendship".
The couple have two children - Savannah, nine, and Isla, seven - who they will co-parent going forward.
The Queen, who is very close to her grandson's wife, is said to be "very upset" by the news - but she was seen smiling broadly this morning as she arrived at King's Lynn station to return to the capital after her Christmas break.
Peter will be the first of her grandchildren to divorce.
She was dressed in a baby blue coat with a pattered headscarf, carrying her trademark black handbag.
News of the split is the latest in a series of dramas for the Royal Family in the past few months, starting with Prince Andrew's involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
The Queen's son gave a car crash interview about their friendship with the disgraced financier, and there were later claims that he had failed to cooperate with the FBI's investigation - which he denies.
At the start of the year there was more heartbreak for the Queen when her Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decided to step down from their royal duties, announcing they will split their time between the UK and Canada.
The Queen stays in Sandringham until early January every year, choosing to spend the anniversary of her dad King George VI's death at the countryside Norfolk estate.
A statement issued on Peter and Autumn this morning read: "After informing HM The Queen and members of both families last year, Peter and Autumn jointly agreed to separate.
"They had reached the conclusion that this was the best course of action for their two children and ongoing friendship.
"The decision to divorce and share custody came about after many months of discussions and although sad, is an amicable one.
"The couple's first priority will remain the continued well being and upbringing of their wonderful daughters Savannah (nine) and Isla (seven).
"Both families were naturally sad at the announcement, but fully supportive of Peter and Autumn in the joint decision to co-parent their children.
"Both Peter and Autumn have remained in Gloucestershire to bring up their two children where they have been settled for a number of years.
"Peter and Autumn have requested privacy and compassion for their children while the family continues to adapt to these changes."
