The Queen begins her summer holiday
The Queen has begun her annual summer holiday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
The Palace confirmed the monarch is now taking a well-deserved break from her royal duties, announcing on social media: "The Queen was welcomed to Balmoral Castle by Balaklava Company, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland and the regiment's mascot Cruachan. Her Majesty will spend the rest of the summer at Balmoral before returning to her duties in the autumn.”
Her Majesty looked radiant in a powder pink suit as she arrived at Balmoral Castle, where she was greeted at the gates by a guard of honour, and the same cheeky three-year-old Shetland pony named Cruachan IV – the regimental mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland – that made headlines last month after he tried to eat The Queen’s posy during a visit to Stirling Castle.
Thankfully, the naughty pony was on much better behaviour this time around, as he joined the royal welcome – letting out a neigh as The Queen turned to walk away. “We know where you are,” Her Majesty said to the pony, smiling.
“The Royal Regiment of Scotland put on a great show as always. And Cruachan got it on the act as he always seems to,” added a royal onlooker.
Excited crowds gathered to wish the 91-year-old monarch well as she inspected the guard of honour, before making her way inside the castle where she is expected to be in residence until early October.
Image credit: Ken Goff and The Royal Family Instagram