Former New Zealand Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern has shared the candid advice she received from the late Queen Elizabeth II about balancing motherhood with leadership duties. The 45-year-old, who became New Zealand's leader at age 37, was only the second democratically elected world leader to give birth while in office.
A Memorable Encounter
During the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London, a seven-months-pregnant Ardern asked the Queen how she managed to carry out her monarchial duties while navigating pregnancy and childbirth. The Queen's response was refreshingly direct.
Ardern told the Times: "She said in a rather resolute way, 'Well, you just get on with it.' She was right. What she was saying was there's no big secret to it, you just take every day as it comes. That simple, practical advice was exactly what I needed."
A Shared Experience
Despite their vastly different circumstances, both women gave birth while holding significant roles. Queen Elizabeth II had all four of her children during her reign as UK sovereign, while Ardern gave birth to her daughter Neve in 2018 while serving as prime minister.
Ardern reflected on feeling connected to a wider community of working mothers: "I was a first-time mum while being prime minister. I had this particularly high-profile role, but I didn't feel special or unique. I felt like I was part of this very large club of women trying to make it work."
Public Support
In a 2025 Guardian article, Ardern wrote about her surprise at the warm public reaction to her pregnancy, including a baby blanket made of 24 squares. "I had braced for the worst. I was a public figure, used to judgment and scrutiny. Now I was pregnant and unwed. I was also new to the job. If people wanted to have a go at me, they had plenty of reason to. But I hadn't considered a fundamental truth: that politicians are humans first, and perhaps the public hadn't lost sight of that," she said.
Ardern served as prime minister from 2017 to 2023, leading the country through the Covid-19 pandemic.
