The Queen of England met Queen Cersei Lannister when the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visited the ‘Game of Thrones’ set in Northern Ireland.
The royal couple spent half an hour touring the new Titanic studios in the old Belfast shipyard, and the old Paint Hall where many scenes are shot. The royals were given a first-hand guide to the work that goes into making a bloodcurdling saga with millions of followers.
The Queen and Prince Philip met some of the stars of the HBO production, including Lena Headey, who played the conniving Queen Cersei Lannister.
They spent time chatting to 17-year-old Maisie Williams, who played the spirited Arya Stark and 18-year-old Sophie Turner, Arya’s elder and more reserved sister Sansa in the show.
Kit Harington who plays Jon Snow and Rose Leslie also shook hands with the royal couple.
Local Ballymena-born actor Conleth Hill, who played the manipulative Lord Varys, was also on hand to show the dramatic influence the hit show has had on telly addicts and the Northern Ireland economy.
George RR Martin’s epic story has brought £82 million to the region in the biggest television production in Europe – the equivalent of 900 full-time and 5,700 part-time jobs.
The Queen was shown handmade costumes and props and armoury that has helped further the cult following ‘Game of Thrones has built’.
She was also presented with a miniature replica of the Iron Throne of Westeros – the real seat is said to be coveted by only the most Machiavellian of kings.
David Benioff and Dan Weiss, executive producers and writers of ‘Game of Thrones’, led the tour through the Paint Hall where the sets for the Red Keep and the Throne Room are housed.
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