Helen Mirren reveals Queen Elizabeth introduced her to a sheikh and said 'she played me in a film, you know' but he had 'no idea who she was' and details tea mishap with Prince Philip

Helen Mirren has recalled the hilarious moment the late Queen Elizabeth introduced her to a sheikh as 'the person who played her in a film', only for him to have no idea who she was.

The acclaimed actress famously won an Oscar in 2007 for her portrayal of the late monarch in the film The Queen, and has now recalled getting a rare opportunity to enjoy tea with Her Majesty in 2018.

Helen revealed she was stunned when the Queen introduced her to a sheikh given she had never spoken publicly about her playing her in the film.

The MobLand star was invited to enjoy tea with The Queen and the late Duke of Edinburgh while attending Ascot.

She said: 'It was very funny because they were all talking about horses, and I know nothing about horses, I'm not a horsey person.

'So I had really nothing to contribute to the conversation. She introduced me to the Sheikh of somewhere, as saying ''this is Dame Helen Mirren, she played me you know, in the film.''

'And the Sheikh, the Sheikh looked completely like he had no idea, didn't know about the film, no idea who I was, he looked completely confused.'

Speaking on the TODAY show, Helen also confessed that she suffered a mishap while having her tea with the Queen, as she couldn't remember how to address Prince Philip, when she wanted to ask him to pass the milk.

She said: 'I've got my tea, someone's poured me an extra cup of tea, but I like milk in my tea, and the milk jug is on the other side of Prince Philip. And I'm thinking ''how do I get the milk''

'And I just could not remember how to - address Prince Philip? Do I call him sir, is it your majesty, your royal highness?

'I thought maybe I should ask for a serving person? In the end I just gave up and had it without milk because I couldn't deal with the situation.'

Helen previously paid tribute to The Queen following her death in 2022, speaking as she remembered her as the nation's 'leading star', at the 2023 Bafta Film Awards.

She said: 'BAFTA's relationship with Her Majesty was longstanding and BAFTA would not be what it is today without her loyal support.'

The Prince and Princess of Wales, who were watching on in the audience, appeared touched by the tribute, and could be seen applauding as the actress concluded her speech.

'In 1953, her coronation broadcast had the world watching. From that time, she was unquestionably the nation's leading lady but as mysterious as a silent film star.

'Who else could meet the world's most famous singers, actors and performers and turn them into her supporting cast.

'Throughout her 70-year reign, she met cinema's greatest icons and witnessed the evolution of Hollywood's golden age to the birth of the blockbuster. Her Majesty was front row for it all.'

The actress also referenced the more than 50 cultural organisations the late monarch supported during her lifetime and the honorary Bafta award she received in 2013 in recognition for her 'outstanding patronage of the film and television industries'.

Dame Helen continued: 'Cinema at its best, does what Her Majesty did effortlessly - bring us together and unite us in a story...

'Your Majesty, you are our nation's leading star. On behalf of Bafta, thank you for all that you have done for our film and television industry.'