Queen Elizabeth Heads to Scotland for Her Annual Summer Holiday at Balmoral Castle

But while Balmoral Castle is open to visitors until August 2, the Queen will likely stay elsewhere on the estate

Last year, the Queen took part in the traditional ceremonial welcome as she moved into Balmoral Castle for the remainder of the summer. She participated in an inspection of the Balaklava Company, 5 Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland at the gates at Balmoral — and came face-to-face again with their mascot, a Shetland Pony named Cruachan IV.

In years past, Cruachan IV has been known not to be on his best behavior around Queen Elizabeth. In 2018, the pony relieved himself during the ceremony, causing the Queen to turn away and shield her nose from the smell with her hand. And the previous year, Cruachan tried to take a nibble of a bouquet of flowers being held by the Queen.

The horse-loving royal has even quipped, “Here we are again,” upon seeing the mascot.

 

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Queen Elizabeth traveled to Balmoral in May ahead of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, marking her historic 70 years on the throne. A royal source told PEOPLE that the brief visit would help the Queen pace herself ahead of the four-day weekend of festivities.

For more than 150 years, the Scottish castle has served as a private retreat for the British royal family. Over the next few weeks, the Queen’s relatives will likely come for visits and entertain friends, hold dances, picnic and go on shooting parties — all the while battling the nibbling little flies that stalk the heather-covered mountain sides.

Although it’s a vacation, it’s not all play for the monarch while she’s away in the Scottish Highlands. She does continue to work, reading her diplomatic papers in the famous “red boxes” that are delivered daily. She also normally continues to hold audiences and undertake some public engagements.

The expansive property has been in the royal family since 1845, when Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, purchased the castle and the surrounding 7,000 acre estate.

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