Queen raises cathedral's future with PM

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II shakes hands with New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key at Buckingham Palace in London on June 6, 2012. Photo / AFP

The Queen has expressed concern for the future of ChristChurch Cathedral during a meeting with the Prime Minister.

John Key has had an audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

He arrived with a box of Kapiti cheeses of all varieties, and an array of preserves including beetroot pickle, quince jelly, Black Doris plum jam, Kiwifruit chutney and even some mellow wine wafers.

He said the Queen has had an enormous amount of correspondence from people in Christchurch over the fate of the Anglican cathedral, which he said is the centre of heartache for many over its demolition.

Mr Key said the Queen is clearly not an engineer so is not offering advice on whether it is the right move, but is interested in what is driving the issue.

She has asked him to send her best wishes to the people of Christchurch, suggesting at the same time she may not make it our way again. It's 10 years since the Queen visited New Zealand and Mr Key said it is unlikely the elderly monarch will make the trip again.

"One thing she's certainly made clear to me is that it's obviously a very long way now and she's passing over the more long distance travel for the younger royals," Mr Key said.

"Obviously Prince Charles and Camilla will be in New Zealand later in the year, so it's not impossible but I think it's increasingly unlikely."

John Key said Prince William and Kate Middleton have told him they are keen to come and he says a visit by them could be on the cards.