The Queen was inspirational to female leaders around the world: Arlene Foster

Mrs Foster was First Minister from 2016 to 2021 though for three years of that term Sinn Fein had collapsed the Executive.

She said: “One of the greatest things I will cherish about being First Minister was having the opportunity to engage with the Queen.

“It was fabulous to have met her. I first met her when we’d been put out of the Euros (against Wales in 2016), we’d a great conversation about all of that at the time – the team, the fans, the atmosphere. It was lovely to chat to her.

"Even during Covid, because she couldn’t visit, she telephoned and that was really special as well. We had a conversation then, that was the last time I’d spoke to her. I invited her back to Northern Ireland, she said, ‘if I’m still about’.”

The GB News presenter said: “She was so incredible because of the longevity of her reign, she had seen so much, been through so much. I think because of that she was just so inspirational to me as a female leader and I’m sure to female leaders around the world.

“She was amazing, she’d a great sense of humour – the video she did with Paddington, for me it was the best part of those (Platinum Jubilee) celebrations.

"Clearly when she came out onto the balcony for the last time she was frail but none of us realised what was going on in the background, that’s the way she would have wanted it.

"She was a very private person. There was an aura around her because of that. Modern day celebrities you know far too much about them and I’m not sure that’s a good thing.”

“She personified public service and duty and frankly for me she never put a foot wrong.”

Of King Charles III she said: “I think the King has had a difficult year but also a tremendous year. He has stepped up really well. I know it will be a difficult day today for him. I think he made the right decision to spend it in Balmoral with his wife.”