Britain's Queen Elizabeth has made a personal donation to disaster relief in Nepal.

Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth

The 89-year-old monarch has reportedly given an undisclosed sum to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which will be used to help support the work of their 13-member organisations after an earthquake struck at the weekend.

And the queen's eldest son, Prince Charles and his wife Duchess Camilla have also given personal money to the appeal.

The gesture comes after the queen and her husband Prince Philip have sent their "deepest sympathy" to Nepali president Ram Baran Yadav and those affected by the natural disaster.

In a message to the president, she said: "I was shocked to hear of the appalling loss of life and injuries caused by the earthquake.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this disaster and with those bereaved and affected.

"Prince Philip joins me in extending our deepest sympathy to you and the Nepali people. The thoughts of everyone in the United Kingdom are with the families of all those caught up in this terrible event."

Nepalese officials estimate the death toll "could rise to 10,000", and between 17 and 22 people had also been killed in avalanches on Mount Everest, which happened as a result of the earthquake.