Dame Helen Mirren says her secret to a long-lasting and happy marriage is not having rushed into it. The 71-year-old actress was seeing husband Taylor Hackford for over a decade before they finally made things official in 1997.

Giving her personal tips for women at Elle’s Women In Hollywood gala, she shared: “There are no rules about love, I don’t believe – but don’t be in a rush to get married. Honestly, I married Taylor much later in life and it’s worked out just great.

But give your partner the freedom and support to achieve their ambition. it’s very important and that goes both ways for men and women.”

And the star encourages people to communicate with friends and family through traditional means and not always rely on technology and social media.

“Connect with friends daily and I don’t mean on Facebook. Better to have three great friends than 300 friends on social media – friends that you really talk to.”

Dame had previously confessed that working on a house with her husband further strengthened their relationship, adding: “You build houses together. If anything’s going to make you divorce, it’ll be building a house together. If you get through that, that’s a huge triumph.”

Mirren also credits her husband for teaching her a lot over the years: “We’re very different but I’ve learnt a huge amount from him, including returning phone calls. If he gets a phone call, he returns it immediately.

He’s one of those detail-orientated people. I admire him very much. But then, it’s a two-way street. I’m sure he’s also learnt things from me.”