The Queen was photographed over the weekend enjoying the warm weather and fresh air in Aberdeenshire. In the pictures, the monarch was shown wearing a gilet over a red top, paired with a traditional tartan skirt.
She also wore sunglasses and a headscarf to protect herself from the sun.
While Prince Philip was nowhere to be seen, the Queen did not go on a walk alone.
Rather, she was joined by Sophie, Countess of Wessex and her daughter Lady Louise – widely considered the monarch’s favourites.
Prince Edward, the Queen’s youngest son, and James, Viscount Severn, also joined the monarch during the walk.
The Queen was spotted on a walk in Balmoral (Image: GETTY)
The Queen is said to trust Sophie (Image: GETTY)
The Wessexes’ visit to the Queen appears to have been carried out in accordance with the Government guidelines, as the family-of-four was photographed staying more than two metres away from the Queen on the path she was walking.
Sophie, Prince Edward and their children are not staying in the main house at Balmoral Castle, according to alleged safety measures taken by the staff to protect the elderly royals leaked over last week.
The fact that the Wessexes appear to be the first to visit the Queen and Prince Philip may be telling of the monarch’s relationship with this family.
READ MORE: Royal delight: How Queen Elizabeth watches THIS film ‘every Christmas
The Queen and Lady Louise share a love for horses (Image: GETTY)
The tight bond between Sophie and the Queen was unveiled by a former royal equerry last year.
Noting Sophie is often chosen by the Queen to be her companion on her way to church, this source claims the Countess of Wessex, who joined the Royal Family in 1999, is a calming presence for the monarch.
They anonymously told : “If Sophie Wessex is staying at Sandringham then you can pretty much guarantee the Queen will ask her – usually last thing on a Saturday night – if she would like ‘a lift’ to the church.
DON’T MISS
The Queen is said to find Sophie’s presence calming (Image: GETTY)
Royals visiting the Queen at Balmoral this year won’t stay in the main house (Image: GETTY)
“And the same happens at Balmoral. The Queen likes to be completely calm before church and she finds Sophie’s presence soothing.
“Who gets the backseat is also one of those quirky royal ways that signals who is in favour – for example Princess Anne may be staying at the same time, but how often do you see her in the Rolls?”
The Countess, who was involved the so-called Sophie Tapes scandal almost two decades ago, is said to have gained the trust of the monarch even more than Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, or Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
A senior royal aide said: “She is trusted and relied on by the Queen in a way I couldn’t say applied to the Duchess of Cambridge or the Duchess of Cornwall.
Sophie joined the Royal Family in 1999 (Image: EXPRESS)
“She is like another daughter to Her Majesty, they are that close.
“The Queen is also mindful that Sophie’s marriage has survived where her other children’s relationships have failed – and she knows that is in no small way down to Sophie’s dedication – she is aware, as his Edward’s mother, what a tricky creature he can be.”
Similarly, 16-year-old Lady Louise is believed to be the Queen’s favourite grandchild, partially because she loves spending time at Balmoral, the monarch’s safe haven.
A source told : “The Queen loves the fact that Louise and James relish their time at Balmoral, and she has become particularly close to Louise, who seems to have become her favourite grandchild, closely followed by James.
The Queen and Sophie often share a car to go to church together (Image: GETTY)
“Louise also endeared herself to everyone by looking after William and Kate’s children when they were up here.
“Louise loves drawing and sketching and was very patiently trying to get Charlotte to do pictures of rabbits and deer.
“Because of her obvious artistic skill, the Queen allowed Louise to look through some of the collection of Queen Victoria’s Highlands sketches which are kept at Balmoral but are rarely dug out these days.”
This is the first time the Queen is photographed since the beginning of her holidays in Balmoral last week.
The Queen travelled to her Scottish residence with Prince Philip just hours before lockdown measures in Aberdeen were tightened by the First Minister.
