The Queen has been conducting virtual meetings throughout the pandemic, where she has been isolating at Windsor Castle. Today's video call with the incoming Governor-General of New Zealand saw Her Majesty wish her luck ahead of her swearing-in ceremony next week. Dame Cindy Kiro, the first indigenous woman appointed to the role.

       When Ms Kiro popped up on the screen, the Queen smiled and pointed her finger, saying: "Ah, there you are!"

       Dame Cindy, 63, replied: "Her Majesty."

       HM said: "Good evening."

       Cindy, in New Zealand, remarked: "Good morning here."

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       Smiling, the Queen realised the time difference, saying: "Oh of course! It's good morning, isn't it, to you."

       "You're taking over quite soon, aren't you."

       "Thursday is the swearing in."

       The Queen added: "I see. Oh yes, big day."

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       The Queen's very first virtual audience was in December 2020.

       Her Majesty virtually met three international ambassadors over video calls thanks to the help of her staff.

       The ambassadors were from Georgia, the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, and Hungary.

       Shortly after it was decided that audiences would be held virtually, Buckingham Palace released a statement.

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       They said: "Diplomatic audiences are a long standing and traditional part of the monarch’s role and the hope has always been to restart them as soon as possible.

       "A variety of options were considered in line with current guidelines to reintroduce diplomatic audiences while retaining some of the long-established ceremonial elements, such as the use of Buckingham Palace."

       They added: "At this time, in line with medical advice, Her Majesty will conduct diplomatic audiences virtually from Windsor Castle."