One’s going on a summer holiday! The Queen and Prince Philip will travel to Balmoral in ‘early August’ for their annual break, Buckingham Palace confirms
- The Queen, 94, is to travel to Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire in early August
- Prince Phillip, 99, will join the royal at their home for the annual summer break
- Buckingham Palace have now confirmed couple to head to Balmoral next month
- Had been reported that bubble of staff would protect the couple on the break
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will travel to Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire for their annual summer break in ‘early August’, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
Her Majesty, 94, had been self-isolating in Windsor Castle since March, but is now set to travel to Scotland alongside Prince Philip, 99, next month.
Reports had previously suggested the couple were keen to get away for their annual holiday.
Sources had revealed last week that the couple were set for a socially-distanced summer holiday with their family – who will stay in separate buildings so the royal couple could stay safe from coronavirus.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will travel to Balmoral in early-August for their annual summer holiday, Buckingham Palace has confirmed
Although other members of her family will join them for the traditional summer get-together this time they will not be able to get close to the monarch.
When they get to the 50,000-acre estate in Aberdeenshire she will not host them in the castle, instead staying in other properties on the grounds.
They will be able to meet her for outside activities instead including walks, horse riding and picnics.
A source said a ‘Balmoral bubble’ of staff numbering some will join the Queen and Philip.
The Royals at Balmoral back in 2003, with their pet dogs walking in the grounds
They holidayed in Balmoral back in 1960, with the Queen, Prince Philip and their children, Prince Charles, right, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew, seen here
The Queen had been isolating in Windsor Castle and had to hold her audience with the Prime Minister by telephone as the Coronavirus spread around the UK
They include Vice-Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt, master of the household; Sir Edward Young, the Queen’s private secretary, and Paul Whybrew and William Henderson, her pages.
Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah, her equerry; Terry Pendry, her head groom; Angela Kelly, the Queen’s personal assistant and her senior dresser; Jackie Newbold, Kelly’s PA; and three assistant dressers will also join, according to The Sunday Times.
The Queen has spent a 12-week break at Balmoral for each of the past 68 years of her reign.
The Queen rides Balmoral Fern, named after the famous Scottish residence for the Royals
Since the coronavirus crisis started, Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh have been in joint isolation at Windsor Castle since the start of lockdown in March.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall recently moved from Birkhall, on the Balmoral estate, to their London home of Clarence House as they lead the royal family in returning to public engagements after lockdown.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge remain at Anmer Hall, Norfolk, with their three children, Prince George, six, Princess Charlotte, five, and Prince Louis, two.