Carrey premiere for the Queen

Jim Carrey said he was honoured to meet the Queen

The Queen has attended the European premiere of Jim Carrey's new film The Grinch.

Carrey and the film's director Ron Howard were among celebrities at the charity screening, staged in the Odeon Cinema, Leicester Square, central London, on Wednesday.

Carrey and his actress girlfriend Renee Zellweger, were presented to the Queen before the screening.

The actor said the costume he had worn for the film, for his new film - in which plays a grumpy recluse resembling a green monster - had been "excruciatingly painful".

But he told the Queen: "I hope it doesn't show in the film."

The film is based on a story by children's author and illustrator Dr Seuss.

In the tale, Carrey's character lives in a cave and has a heart two sizes too small.

Initially annoyed by Christmas festivities in the town of Whoville, he comes to learn that the spirit of Christmas goes deeper than tinsel and toys.

Award-winner

Anthony Hopkins narrates the tale, which is tipped to be a big hit with family audiences in both the US and UK over the festive season.

The film marks a return to cartoonish roles for Carrey, who also donned extravagant make-up for his performances in The Mask and Batman Forever.

Since then the 38-year-old has established himself as a more heavyweight actor.

He won a Golden Globe best actor award in 1999 for his performance in Peter Weir's film The Truman Show.

And he repeated the feat earlier this year for his role as comic Andy Kaufman in Man On The Moon, in which he played the late comedian Andy Kaufman.

Director Howard initially made his name playing Richie Cunningham in 70s sitcom Happy Days, before establishing himself as a film-maker in the 1980s.

His films have included Splash, Cocoon, Parenthood, Backdraft, APolo 13 and EdTV.

The Grinch opens in the UK on 1 December.