She is known as the Virgin Queen, a monarch who took a vow of chastity upon her ascension to the throne, insisting she was “married” to her country.

But the love life of Queen Elizabeth I has long been the subject of great speculation amid rumours of various secret liaisons.

Now, Dr Estelle Paranque, a historian and Tudor expert, claims to have discovered evidence of an intimate relationship between the monarch and a French ambassador, to whom she grew close when he moved to the UK.

Bertrand Salignac de la Mothe Fénélon, a French nobleman and experienced diplomat, was sent to England in November 1568, where he was to remain for seven years.

According to letters he sent back to the French court, uncovered by Dr Paranque, he quickly fell into the Queen’s favour, and she gave him the unusual and somewhat scandalous privilege of access to her private chambers. He was, claims the historian, soon to be found constantly by her side.

La Mothe Fénélon wrote that Queen Elizabeth often had “a very jovial and happy face” when she was around him, whether they were hunting, dining or discussing politics together.

Her admiration appeared to have been reciprocated. He wrote to King Charles IX of France of her hunting prowess, describing his awe when he saw her hunting “fallow deer with a crossbow.”