Now you’ve overtaken me, Your Majesty!

THE Queen wasted no time in comparing notes with another great-grandparent at an official function yesterday.

Hosting a luncheon for members of the Order of Merit, she fell into discussion with Jean Chretien, the former prime minister of Canada, about their growing families.

He said: ‘Congratulations. Another great-grandchild!’ The Queen replied happily: ‘Yes, I know.’ She was then asked, ‘How many of them have you got now?’, to which she replied: ‘Eight.’ At this, Mr Chretien quipped: ‘You beat me by one!’

The Queen and Prince Philip were also joined by Sir David Attenborough, David Hockney and inventor of the internet Sir Timothy Berners-Lee among others. The Order of Merit honours leaders in the arts, sciences, culture and military and is limited to 24 living members.