The Queen during a visit to the Crossrail project in London last week. Photo: PA
The Queen has travelled to Balmoral for a short break ahead of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations which begin next week.
The monarch has attended a number of high-profile engagements in recent weeks and it is understood she is now pacing herself before the national events start.
It is understood the Queen arrived at her private Deeside home on Thursday. She usually visits Scotland at this time of year.
However, she usually reserves her annual trip to Balmoral with family for later in the summer.
The visit to Aberdeenshire comes ahead of what is expected to be another intense week of engagements for the 96-year-old monarch.
