Queen 3D: monarch goes high-tech

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II received a BlackBerry handset as a gift while touring the headquarters of its maker, Research in Motion, and even donned some 3D glasses during her Canadian visit.

The British monarch is said to be a fan of the popular smartphones, ever since her son, Prince Andrew, introduced her to them a few years ago.

Company co-founder Mike Lazaridis presented queen with the most current model, the BlackBerry Bold 9700, personalised with an image of area school children offering her flowers. Elizabeth was also given a rare glimpse inside the Waterloo, Ontario factory where the devices are made, reports www.nzherald.co.nz.

Later, Queen Elizabeth II, who was accompanied on her Canadian visit by her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, donned 3D eyewear to watch a few minutes of a new 3D film by Deepa Mehta being shot at the Pinewood movie studio in Toronto.

The royal couple were expected to dine with Prime Minister Stephen Harper in the evening before heading to New York on Tuesday.