'The Queen' meets the Queen at the Royal Ascot

London, Jun 20 : Dame Helen Mirren finally met the Queen, whom the actress played in a hit movie, at the Royal Ascot on June 19.

Mirren was lucky to have been the only guest allowed into the royal box for an hour-long meeting on Ladies Day.

"Dame Helen visited following the Gold Cup trophy ceremony, which the Queen always presents," The Sun quoted an Ascot source, as saying.

"She left the box shortly after 5pm and looked extremely happy. I think they enjoyed each other's company," the source added.

The actress had received her title from Prince Charles in December 2003 and she feared that she had lost her chance of meeting the Queen after having had to turn down a previous invitation while filming in the US.

"Buckingham Palace said they understood but I do wonder if I've blotted my copybook," she said last year.

The two ladies had earlier in the day been doing their best to hang on to their hats because of the strong winds at the Berkshire racecourse, but Dame Mirren lost the battle while her Majesty managed to hang on to her hat designed by New Zealander Philip Somerville.

Earlier her headgear had been the centre of a betting scare, with odds on whether she would wear a "fascinator" slashed from 10-1 to 5-1 after several large bets were placed.

Bookies William Hill suspended betting at one point.

"We thought some information may have leaked out of the Palace," a spokeswoman said.

The 62-year-old actress had won an Oscar for her portrayal of the Queen in the 2006 film about the aftermath of Princess Diana's death.

ANI