Chief entertainment reporter Jenni Mortimer talks entertainment on Herald NOW. Video / Herald NOW
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern has revealed what Queen Elizabeth II said to her during Covid.
Speaking on iHeartRadio’s When I Grow Up podcast, hosted by father-daughter duo Ben and Sienna Boyce, she touched on a range of topics, including her grandmother never voting for herand trying to explain what a “Lasagna Toppa” was to an international restaurateur.
Ardern also gave an insight into top-level diplomatic relations when asked who the coolest person she had shaken hands with was.
“The Queen is really iconic, she really was,” Ardern said.
The former PM said Queen Elizabeth II was lovely and had a “lovely” knowledge of New Zealand before she revealed all about their conversation during the Covid pandemic.
“During Covid, she called leaders just to check in on how they were doing and I remember having this conversation and she was so moved by the idea that New Zealanders stood at the end of the driveway on Anzac Day.
Former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern has revealed what Queen Elizabeth II said to her on a phone call over Covid.
“She just thought that was so moving.
“She was amazing and I feel lucky to have been in office when she was alive.”
Ardern will also appear on the latest episode of Britain’s popular talk show, The Graham Norton Show.
Dame Jacinda Ardern spoke to Ben Boyce and his daughter Sienna Boyce on iHeartRadio's podcast When I Grow Up.
The episode is due to air on December 5 in Britain and will screen a week later in New Zealand on December 12 on TVNZ and TVNZ+.
Ardern will be joined on the famous red sofa by comedian Alan Carr, Oscar-winner Kate Winslet and US Late Night talk show host Seth Meyers.
The appearance coincides with a promotional tour for her autobiographical film Prime Minister, which was being released on December 5 in Britain and Ireland.
Ardern has recently had a candid interview published in a British paper where she gave advice to her younger self.
In talking to the Big Issue, the 45-year-old said she would tell her younger self “don’t let anyone trivialise how you feel” and “no teenager ever had it easy, but it is exponentially harder now”.
