The British tabloid The People reported that the 81-year-old became interested in the Wii console after seeing her 25-year-old grandson Prince William play a game.

A palace source said, "When she saw William playing a game after lunch at Sandringham, she thought the Nintendo looked tremendous fun and begged to join in. She played a simple 10-pin bowling game, and by all accounts, was a natural. It was hilarious."

"William was in fits of laughter. He was enormously impressed at having such a cool gran. His only difficulty now is prying it away from the Queen’s clutches. She showed all the signs of becoming a Nintendo addict."

The Queen is fairly tech-savvy, she has had a cell phone since 2001, a Blackberry since last year and listens to an iPod regularly. Late last year the Queen gave a Christmas greeting on the newly launched Royal Channel on YouTube.