Huddersfield actress Lena Headey got to rub shoulders with royalty after the Queen toured the Game of Thrones set in Northern Ireland.
The Shelley star, who plays Cersei Lannister in the hit HBO series, joined other cast members from the show to greet Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh during their state visit to Belfast.
As well as playing the conniving Lannister Queen in Game of Thrones, Lena Headey is also known for her role as Spartan Queen Gorgo in the 300 films, opposite Gerard Butler and Dominic West.
She got her first taste of acting as a pupil at Shelley College and was appearing in a school production at London’s Royal National Theatre whens he was snapped up for a role opposite Jeremy Irons in the 1992 film Waterland.
Today the Queen was given a first hand guide to the work that goes into making Game of Thrones in a whistlestop tour of the new Titanic studios in the old Belfast shipyard, and the old Paint Hall where many scenes are shot.
The Queen and Prince Philip spent time chatting with stars of the show, including 17-year-old Maisie Williams, who plays the spirited Arya Stark, and 18-year-old Sophie Turner, Arya's elder sister Sansa in the show.
Local Ballymena-born actor Conleth Hill, who plays the maniputalive Lord Varys, was also on hand to show the dramatic influence the hit show has had on telly addicts and the Northern Ireland economy.
Kit Harington who plays Jon Snow and Rose Leslie, who played Ygritte, also shook hands with the royal couple.
George RR Martin's medieval epic 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.
The success of the show is furthering Northern Ireland's reputation as a go-to place for the film industry.
A strong crew base, stunning locations, studio facilities and financial incentives, are ranking the region as one of the most sought-after filming locations for both film and television productions.
Have you been watching Game of Thrones? Test your knowledge of the hit show with our seasons 1-4 quiz
And here's our verdict on the winners and losers of Westeros after the shocking season finale
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