Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip left Windsor Castle earlier this month. The couple have made Windsor their home and sanctuary during the coronavirus lockdown, but the Queen and Prince Philip have now left Windsor for their beloved Scottish estate, Balmoral.
Balmoral is known to hold a special place in the Royal Family’s heart, and it has often been the backdrop of family holidays over the years.
The Queen and Philip spent part of their honeymoon on the estate in 1948, and their granddaughter Princess Eugenie said once her grandmother “is the most happy there”.
Speaking on ITV’s Our Queen At Ninety a few years ago, Eugenie said: “It’s the most beautiful place on earth.
“I think Granny is the most happy there. I think she really, really loves the Highlands.”
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A source told Vanity Fair of the Queen’s holiday plans: “The plan is that most of the family will hopefully be visiting over the summer but the visits will be staggered, it’s a bit of a military operation.
“No one is staying at the main house because of social distancing, but it’s a huge estate with lots of cottages for guests so that’s not a problem.
“The main thing is that the Queen is getting to see her family who she hasn’t seen in over four months.
“She has really missed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren particularly, and is very much hoping to spending time with them over the summer.”
Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Prince Edward and their two children Louise and James are thought to be visiting the Queen and Philip presently.
According to Vanity Fair, Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge are expected to attend later on with their three children: Prince George, 7, Princess Charlotte, 5, and Prince Louis, 2.
The Queen is also expecting visits from her son Prince Andrew, and his daughters Princess Eugenie and newlywed Princess Beatrice.
Princess Anne’s children Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips are also expected to make an appearance.
