Queen unimpressed by blue horse painting on German state visit

Awkward exchange of gifts with President Joachim Gauck is followed by boat trip, meeting with Angela Merkel, lecture and banquet on first full day of trip

Maybe it was the fact that her childhood pony had been depicted in blue, but it was clear from the outset that the Queen was less than enamoured with a portrait presented to her by the German president on Wednesday.

"That's a funny colour for a horse," she said as Joachim Gauck handed her the artwork.