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Saoirse Ronan cried when she saw Margot Robbie for the first time on set of Mary Queen of Scots

Saoirse Ronan has admitted she was left feeling “very emotional” after seeing Margot Robbie for the first time on the set of Mary Queen of Scots.

The 24-year-old, who plays Mary in the film, told of how she was moved to tears after coming face-to-face with Robbie in full costume and make-up as Queen Elizabeth, after the co-stars were kept apart for weeks.

Speaking on the Graham Norton Show, Ronan explained: “Mary and Elizabeth never actually met so we took a bit of artistic license and lied about what really happened!

“We only met once in the film and because of that Margot and I stayed apart so we didn't know what each other looked like. When we finally met for the scene we cried. It was very emotional."

Emotional: Ronan couldn't hold back the tears when she saw Robbie (PA)
Emotional: Ronan couldn't hold back the tears when she saw Robbie (PA)

Ronan also opened up about working with animals on the set, admitting she felt her horse was "nervous" about being on camera.

“The horse I had to ride had starred with Wonder Woman and was very good looking and he knew it," she said. "He just wouldn't do anything, he wouldn't move."

“Then I realised that every time someone shouted 'rolling' he would do a little cough. He was actually nervous!”

In costume: Ronan and Robbie were kept apart during filming
In costume: Ronan and Robbie were kept apart during filming

On Monday Ronan oozed royal-ready elegance as she stepped out for the Scottish premiere of the historical film alongside First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Director Josie Rourke revealed she spent “ages” trying to find a suitable base for the film in a bid to film as much of the movie as possible in Scotland.

According to The Scotsman, she said: “It was amazing filming in Scotland. In order to film all the footage that we wanted we had to agree that we would shoot no matter what the weather was doing.”

She added: “But in the end we only last half a day. You’ve not opened any studios yet in Scotland, which would have been amazing.

“We spent ages going: ‘Is there not somewhere we could use?’ There just wasn’t anywhere with a big enough footprint.”

The Graham Norton Show airs on BBC One on Friday 18 January at 10.35pm.