David Cameron apologises for saying the Queen 'purred' over referendum

David Cameron's comment that the Queen “purred” was picked up by media microphones as he spoke to Michael Bloomberg on Tuesday (Getty)

David Cameron plans to apologise to Queen Elizabeth after saying she “purred” with delight when he told her that Scotland had voted to stay part of the UK in last week’s referendum.

The unguarded remark was picked up by media microphones as the Prime Minister spoke to Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York, on Tuesday.

Speaking ahead of his speech to the United Nations in New York, Mr Cameron said: “Look, I'm very embarrassed by this. I'm extremely sorry about it. It was a private conversation, but clearly a private conversation that I shouldn't have had and won't have again.”