The Queen has joked with Nortern Ireland's Deputy First Minister that she has been quite busy but she is "still alive."

Queen Elizabeth II met Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness at Hillsborough Castle in Belfast as part of a two-day royal visit to the province.

When Mr McGuinness asked the monarch how she was she replied "I'm still alive anyway."

In a short video showing the beginning of a 20 minute-audience between the two, the Queen noted that she has been "quite busy," adding "there's been quite a lot going on."

The Deputy First Minister agreed that "there are a lot of things going on at the moment."

After a moment of silence the Queen added "I've had two birthdays, so we've been quite busy."