Queen's brilliant response when Jacinda Ardern asked how to be a leader and mum

New Zealand's prime minister has revealed how the Queen offered her some invaluable advice about being a mum and a leader.

Jacinda Ardern asked the Queen for some pointers during their meeting in 2018, when the PM was pregnant with her first child.

The Kiwi became the first world leader in nearly 30 years to give birth while in office when she had her first just weeks after meeting the monarch.

Her Majesty told Ms Ardern, who viewed the Queen's coffin on Friday, "well, you just get on with it".

New Zealand's PM told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: "I remember the first conversation that we had before the reception. One of the things on my mind alongside being a new Prime Minister was being a Prime Minister and a mum.

"When you think about leaders who have been in that position. I said to her how did you manage? And I remember she just said 'Well, you just get on with it'."

Describing it as the "best" advice she could have had, Ms Arden added:"I have such respect for her because I've seen what it takes to be a mum and a leader and she did it more times over than I."

It comes after Ms Arden said she had no intent of instigating the process of her country becoming a republic.

Asked why she has said she believes the move will happen in her lifetime, she replied: "I think even the Queen herself has observed and acknowledged the evolution over time in our relationships.

"My observation is that there will continue to be an evolution in our relationship. I don't believe it will be quick or soon, but over the course of my lifetime."

Ms Ardern also dismissed the "fuss" being made over world leaders having to catch the bus to the Queen's funeral.

Last week the Foreign Office issued guidance to world leaders and royals visiting the capital for the state funeral, urging them to use government-provided shuttle buses, rather than private vehicles.

Some embassies have asked for exceptions but have not been successful, Politico reports.

However, New Zealand's leader Jacinda Arden said her ministers regularly use carpools.

She told the BBC : "I'm kind of interested there's so much fuss about it, I don't think the bus warrants too much fuss. This just makes good sense. We're a very practical people."

No10 today revealed that US President Joe Biden will not be expected to travel on the bus, despite other countries' requests reportedly being rejected.

Biden is to arrive at the state funeral in his famous armoured limousine known as "The Beast".