Duke and Duchess of Sussex

She said she was "entirely supportive" of their desire for a new role but "would have preferred" them to remain full-time working royals.

She expected final decisions to be made in the coming days, she said.

Senior royals have been in talks about Prince Harry and Meghan's role after they said they wanted to "step back".

In a statement, the Queen said the talks at Sandringham, which also involved the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge, had been "very constructive".

Palace officials told the BBC that Prince Harry, the Duke of Cambridge and the Prince of Wales will all attend, while Meghan is expected join the discussion over the phone from Canada.

The Sussexes say they plan to step back as senior members of the Royal Family.

There is no suggestion a conclusion will be reached at the meeting.

But BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond said it is hoped that the talks will produce a "next step" on the way to defining the couple's new relationship with the Royal Family - in line with the Queen's wish to find a solution within days.

BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said Her Majesty had been in touch with the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge on Thursday.

They directed senior staff to work with the Sussex household and government.

It comes as the Royal Family was said to be "hurt" at the couple's statement.

Prince Harry and Meghan did not consult any other royal about making their personal statement, palace sources have told BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond.

In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, the couple said they plan to "carve out a progressive new role within this institution".

They said they intend to "work to become financially independent".

Last October, Prince Harry and Meghan publicly revealed their struggles under the media spotlight.

In their statement, also posted on their Instagram page, the couple said they made the decision "after many months of reflection and internal discussions".

The children waved flags of both Tonga and the Britain as the royal couple made their way from Fua’amotu International Airport in the city.

Tongan Princess Angelika Latufuipeka met Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the airport as they embarked on their first official visit to the island kingdom.

On their way to Polata’ane, the Duke and Duchess visited Vila for a private audience with King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u.

The newly wedded couple and soon to be parents were hosted to a dinner where they also met many Tongans at Sopu ‘o Taufa’ahau.

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are on their first official visit since their wedding in April this year.

The couple were welcomed with a traditional kava ceremony and a presentation of mats, a roasted pig and kava plants.

The Duke of Sussex took his first ever drink of kava much to the delight of the crowd who cheered and clapped.

In a short address, Prince Harry thanked the people of Fiji for the warm welcome and said he and his wife are looking forward to meeting as many people as possible.

The newlyweds will head to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga in October.

The trip, lasting just over two weeks, will centre around the Invictus Games Sydney 2018, the Paralympics-style sports event for wounded, sick and injured service personnel.

More than 500 veterans from 18 nations will compete in 11 sports from October 20 to 27 and the couple will attend several of the events.

Harry and Meghan have only briefly visited Dublin since they married in May with the rest of their engagements all in the UK. 

The Tongan Prime Minister's advisor, Lopeti Senituli, this week confirmed the dates for the royal visit.

Mr Senituli told Matangi Tonga that Prince Harry and Megan are expected to arrive in Tongatapu on the 25th and depart the following day.

No programme has been confirmed at this stage.

The royal couple will also be visiting Fiji, Australia and New Zealand during their tour of the Pacific region.