Queen heads to her and Prince Philip’s ‘happy place’ for her summer holiday

THE Queen today set off for her and Prince Philip's "happy place" as she began her summer holidays.

Her Majesty has spent a 12-week break at her special Highlands retreat Balmoral every summer of her 69-year reign.

The Queen is expected to stay at the 50,000 acre property until early October.

Although she will be without her beloved husband, she will be joined by other members of the Royal Family, including her grandchildren, reports the Mail Online.

This year Her Majesty is expected to host Prince Charles, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Wessexes and the Duchess of Rothesay, it adds.

She normally stays at seven-bedroom Craigowan Lodge for a couple of weeks before moving into the castle after it is closed to tourists in early August.

The Queen, 95, also usually attends the Highland games at Braemar.

She was spotted on Friday afternoon leaving Windsor Castle, being driven in her Range Rover as she headed for her annual holiday at the summer residence.

The journey comes days after the Queen was spotted at Sandringham as she returned for the first time since the Duke of Edinburgh's death in April 2021.

She flew into her Norfolk home, where she was seen wearing a white top adorned with pink roses and a green gilet as she drove around Wood Farm Cottage on the estate.

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The monarch was pictured on July 18 driving a Land Rover on her estate - and appeared to be flanked by her bloodstock and racing adviser John Warren.

Prince Philip saw out his retirement on the farm - and it is believed to be home to much of his belongings.

It marked the Queen’s first visit to the cottage since her husband’s passing.

The Queen and Philip were last together at the cottage in September before returning to Windsor Castle for lockdown.

Philip lived in the cottage near the coast after retiring in August 2017 as the Queen carried on working at Buckingham Palace.

He spent his days in Norfolk reading history books and biographies painting watercolours and entertaining friends and family.

In 2020, The Sun Online published photos of the Queen and Prince Philip going to Balmoral for their summer staycation.

And she will no doubt be looking forward to a well-deserved holiday this year amid the continuing furore over Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.

By announcing he is writing a memoir, her grandson has well and truly "gone rogue", a royal expert has said.

Richard Fitzwilliams fears the "totally unpredictable" Duke of Sussex could use his book as "leverage" against the royals.

Harry, 36, has vowed to examine the "highs and lows" of his extraordinary life in his autobiography - out during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee next year.

Despite being 18 months away, its release is already threatening to widen the family rift and put the royal celebration in turmoil.

The Palace has allegedly been warned they "should be afraid" of what's to come from it.

And Fitzwilliams agrees, stating that Harry could use it as a weapon against the Firm to get what he wants - although what that is remains unclear.

He told The Sun Online: "Its mere existence is a form of a lever to potentially use against the royal family in whatever is to come.

"This book has the potential to be dynamite.

"But the thing is, what do the Sussexes really want from the royal family next? What do they want them to do?

"They have gone rogue. It is a fact."

NEW FOOTAGE OF QUEEN

Today's trip to Scotland comes as fascinating unearthed footage shows the Queen speaking FRENCH as she mingles with Margaret Thatcher and Princess Diana at a Buckingham Palace drinks reception in 1991.

The Queen and her elegant daughter-in-law were filmed smiling and looking relaxed while mixing with world leaders who had gathered for the 17th G7 summit.

Ben Brittain shared the amazing video on Twitter, writing: "Brilliant clip of a G7 drinks reception, featuring Thatcher, Lady Di and even HM speaking French."

The video shows Princess Diana bursting into laughter while speaking with Barbara Bush.

One person replied it was "quite amazing, but a bit of an eye-opener to see [Ted] Heath and the other man [George H.W. Bush] talking over the Queen".

Having met people from all over the world, and extensively travelled during her long reign, Her Majesty speaks French fluently.

This is thanks to her private education, explains the Express, which adds that she has also spoken French while visiting Canada.