Queen enjoys a week with the grandchildren at Balmoral
The Queen has spent a very special week with Prince William, Kate Middleton and their children at Balmoral - a place which holds many fond memories for the Queen of all the times she visited with Prince Philip at her side.
Over the week, the Queen and her extended family enjoyed fishing, riding horses and hiking according to a royal insider.
Prince William, 38, and Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis all attended. It was a time for the Cambridges to spend some 'special time' with the monarch.
It’s thought this special week at the Queen’s Scottish estate in Aberdeenshire over the Bank Holiday weekend would have 'lifted the monarch's spirits.'
But at the same time, it would be ‘bittersweet’ for the Queen as it’s the first time she’ll be hosting a family gathering at Balmoral without Prince Philip.
First time the family has visited since Prince Philip’s death
Writing in Vanity Fair, Katie Nicholl revealed the occasion marked the first time the family had been able to come together for a trip since Prince Philip's death in April.
Meanwhile another insider revealed the annual trip over the last week of August had become a tradition for the family, with the monarch reserving the Bank Holiday weekend for time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
They said: 'In the past it has turned into one big sleepover with lots of the Queen's grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her Majesty enjoys it immensely.'
The royal expert also reported the Queen has been known to leave gifts for her grandchildren on their beds during their stay at Balmoral.
The monarch arrived at the Aberdeenshire estate in late July and typically remains until early October.
It comes after a source claimed the Queen was 'itching for things to get back to normal' during her annual break and she hoped to host a BBQ for the royal family at the castle.
Fergie and Prince Andrew are coming as well
It was also revealed Fergie was invited to stay at the Queen's Scottish retreat this summer as well.
‘Sarah Ferguson is coming,' the source said. 'She will be here with Andrew.' It's not clear whether Fergie and Andrew will be joined by their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
No doubt this holiday will be bittersweet
The stay at Balmoral will no doubt be bittersweet for the Queen, who has many fond memories of her time spent at the estate with her late husband.
While never truly off duty it was the closest the Queen and Prince Philip would come to a real holiday.
There have been reports of raucous, drink-fuelled evenings and jovial house parties, and quiet days with old-fashioned parlour games by the fire.
In April, the Queen released a very special photograph of herself and Prince Philip in the hills near Balmoral, giving us another special insight into how much they enjoyed their time at the estate.
Image: Instagram