Katie Holmes is "finally relaxed and calm" since announcing her split from Tom Cruise.

The actress revealed her plans to divorce the Hollywood star after five years of marriage last week - and wants sole custody of their six-year-old daughter Suri.

Katie and Suri stopped off at a New York City ice cream parlour on Tuesday - the day of Tom's 50th birthday.

Sources say the brunette beauty looked at peace despite the media frenzy surrounding her high-profile split.

"Katie just looks relieved. Like she is finally relaxed and calm," an insider told US Weekly.

The mother and daughter were accompanied by nine bodyguards on the trip. An insider added Suri seemed oblivious to her parents' marital woes.

"Suri was her normal self, laughing and kissing Katie," the witness revealed. "I don't think she knows what's going on."

Another source added that Katie also seemed in good spirits.

"Katie was smiling and seemed friendly to the staff and customers," another onlooker observed.

Tom reportedly tried to convince his estranged wife to reconsider her decision to split before it was made public. He is currently filming in Iceland and wanted Katie to celebrate his 50th birthday with him in a bid to patch things up.

"He begged her to go to Iceland for one last try at reconciliation. She refused and a huge fight ensued," a source revealed earlier today.