London, February 5 : The Queen has issued an apology after it was revealed that an official gift shop at her Sandringham estate was selling `controversial' golliwog dolls.

Stunned royal aides were said to have pulled off the black-faced dolls, often debated as racist, from the shelves after having put them on sale for the last one year.

"The shop on the Sandringham estate does sell a product called Golly dolls and has done so for the past year," the Sun quoted a spokesman for the Queen as saying.

"The product is part of a range of soft toys sold by the shop. The management of the Sandringham estate has said they did not intend to offend anyone by selling this product and have apologised if any offence has been caused," the rep added.

The monarch, who does not decide what forms the stock in her gift shops, can be expected to be enraged following the claims, as per a source.

A senior source said: "Her Majesty will be furious about this.

"Few people have worked harder to build bridges between people of different races and creeds.

"The Queen will be livid to think that she may have caused anyone offence." (ANI)