Since taking the throne in 1947, Queen Elizabeth II has had 14 Prime Ministers by her side – ranging from the magisterial cold warrior Winston Churchill to the Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher and to the current office holder Boris Johnson. The Royal Family’s official website says the monarch always has a “special relationship” with whoever is leading her Government. However, multiple reports suggest there have been stronger relationships than others throughout her reign.

While Sir Winston is long rumoured to be Her Majesty’s favourite, Tony Blair’s relationship with the monarch was said to be incredibly difficult and probably regarded “the worst one” she has ever had.

His wife Cherie did not curtsey to the Queen on her first visit to Balmoral in 1997, and wore a trouser suit – which allegedly left the Queen mother “mortified”. Her Majesty’s interests famously clashed with Mr Blair’s too.

It is no secret that the monarch loves the countryside, country sports, horses and dogs, while Mr Blair prefers the city, holidays in Barbados, tennis and football.

For this reason, the tradition annual visit by the Prime Minister to Balmoral reportedly became something of an ordeal for the Labour leader and the lengths of their stays were kept to a minimum.

Moreover, according to a 2002 report by the Daily Express, the former Prime Minister and his wife would often fail to follow royal protocol.

During a Jubile lunch in 2002, Mr Blair was reportedly left red-faced when he took Prince Philip’s seat during at a Jubilee lunch.

Mr Blair’s wife Cherie also prompted an angry response from television viewers for not wearing a hat to the prestigious function.

The report reads: “The Prime Minister has been criticised before for failing to respect royal etiquette.

“Last month he was seen sitting down without waiting for the Queen to take her chair first.

“The latest blunder came at the City of London’s Guildhall, where the Queen, Mr Blair and the Lord Mayor addressed 700 guests including VIPs and schoolchildren.

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“As the key figures arrived at the top table, Mr Blair sat down in the chair reserved for Prince Philip, next-but-one to the Queen.

“A moment later, with a surprised look, he realised his error and moved six seats across the row.

“Philip took the mix-up in good humour and walked over to take his proper seat at the Queen’s left.”

A London Corporation spokesman claimed it happened because they were in the wrong order as they came into the hall.

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He was quoted as saying” “We changed the arrangements for coming into the hall three days ago and that made the difference.

“The Duke of Edinburgh and the Prime Minister should have been the other way round.

“ It became clear almost instantly.

“Mr Blair sat down and his expression said: ‘Oh goodness, I’m in the wrong place’.”

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