The Queen is enjoying a short break in Balmoral ahead
of her busy and exciting Platinum Jubilee celebrations next week. Her
Majesty, 96, travelled to her private Scottish country estate on Thursday and
is believed to be relaxing there before her jam-packed schedule of Jubilee
events.
She normally visits at this time of year and spends an
extended amount of time at Balmoral over the summer period, usually travelling
there in mid-July and staying until September or October.
In the past few weeks, the monarch has carried out a string
of engagements, both at home at Windsor Castle and also travelling to London
despite her mobility issues. She attended the first day of the Chelsea Flower
Show on Monday and last week also opened the new Elizabeth Line at Paddington
station.
It is understood she is pacing herself ahead of her
whirlwind Jubilee celebrations, which will take place from Thursday 2 June to
Sunday 5 June. Among the highlights will be the traditional Trooping the Colour
parade – the Queen’s official birthday celebration – where she’ll be able to
watch a spectacular flypast from the Buckingham Palace balcony and
take part in a carriage procession.
Her Majesty will also attend a service of thanksgiving,
enjoy a day at the races at Epsom, and be a guest of honour at the Royal
Pageant and Jubilee luncheon on the last day of the extended bank holiday
weekend.
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She has been travelling there for decades
Balmoral holds a special place in the Queen’s heart.
Located in Royal Deeside in Aberdeenshire and with 50,000 acres to explore,
there’s always plenty for the royals to do at Balmoral. As well to enjoying
walks, the monarch and her family have been known to enjoy picnics,
barbecues, fishing, horse riding and cycling on the estate.
Her granddaughter Princess Eugenie has previously revealed
that the Queen is “happiest” at her rural Scottish estate. “I
think Granny is the happiest there,” Eugenie said in the documentary, Our
Queen At Ninety. “I think she really, really loves the Highlands. Walks,
picnics, dogs—a lot of dogs, there’s always dogs—and people coming in and out
all the time.”
