The Queen changes Mirren's mind

Prime Suspect star Helen Mirren has admitted that she "slowly fell in love" with the Queen after playing her in her latest film.

Mirren, who has been receiving praise for The Queen at the Venice Film Festival, said that her upbringing was anti-royalist but after researching her for the role she had come to gain a new respect for the British monarch.

"I must say I slowly fell in the love with her," the 61-year-old actress said.

Research into events surrounding the death of Princess Diana particularly had an impact on the actress, making her realise how strong the Queen can be.

"I think of all the things the Queen has gone through, the psychological traumas of the war years, ten prime ministers, the same hair even, but she's had the same values, the values of duty first, self last and that constancy is extraordinary," Dame Helen said.

"That's why she was so thrown after Diana died, and of course those values she stands for are ones we cherish now."

She added: "I think having played an essence of the Queen I've lost that chip on my shoulder."

Mirren's movie, The Queen, which opens in cinemas on September 15th, provides an intimate insight into events following the death of Princess Diana and the interaction between the monarch and the prime minister, played by Michael Sheen (Underworld, Bright Young Things, The League Of Gentlemen's Apocalypse).

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