The Queen visited the set of the Game of Thrones in Belfast, Northern Ireland on Tuesday morning. The reigning monarch was joined by her husband the Duke of Edinburgh for a tour of the huge studio facility in the Paint Hall Studios in the Titanic Quarter, where much of the hit HBO fantasy series was filmed.
The royal couple met cast members including Maisie Williams who plays Arya Stark, Kit Harington who stars as Jon Snow, Lena Headey who plays Queen Cersei Lannister and Conleth Hill, who plays the manipulative Lord Varys.
© Photo: PAOn her visit to the fantastical set, the Queen was presented with a miniature version of the Iron Throne, which features in the US TV series. Unfortunately for Game of Thrones fans, however, she failed to take a seat on the Iron Throne.
The royal couple, who are on a three-day visit to Northern Ireland, were also shown some of the handmade costumes and props that have featured in the hit fantasy show. Executive producers and writers of the show, David Benioff and Dan Weiss, led the royals through the sets for the Red Keep and the Throne Room.
© Photo: PAThe British royals were then given a short overview of the series and the impact it has had on Northern Ireland – a huge boost to the local economy in the shape of £87m over its four seasons, 900 full-time and 5,700 part-time jobs.
The series – one of the biggest TV productions in Europe – is also a focal point for Northern Ireland's burgeoning film industry.
© Photo: PAEarlier, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited the notorious Crumlin Road Gaol, which is now a tourist attraction.
There they were met by a number of dignitaries, including Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, who had both spent time in the former prison during the Troubles.
