The Queen leaves Sandringham after a long weekend break

The Queen was spotted travelling back from Sandringham to Windsor today – after she enjoyed a long-weekend break at her husband the Duke of Edinburgh’s former home. 

The monarch, 96, was photographed looking thoughtful as she was driven from Wood Farm, on the Norfolk estate, to a helicopter for a flight back to Windsor on Wednesday morning. 

She was dressed in a blue printed dress, cream cardigan and travelling jacket – as well as a pop of pink lipstick – for the short flight to Berkshire.

The Queen had been enjoying some time at the five-bedroom farmhouse, where Prince Philip lived after his retirement, following a busy trip to Edinburgh where she made three public appearances.

It comes days after it emerged Buckingham Palace has reduced or removed some of the duties which the Queen ‘must fulfil’ as Monarch in its annual review, with insiders downplaying the significance of the changes.

The Prince of Wales, 73, is primed to step up and take on some of the more demanding official duties, while events such as the State Opening of Parliament, once thought a necessary constitutional convention, have been removed.

It is the first time in at least a decade that the Palace’s annual report has edited or amended the Queen’s duties.

A palace source downplayed the significance, saying it was not a ‘drastic’ change, but a small post-Jubilee update.

The new version of the Queen’s role and duties will place an emphasis on the support expected to be provided on the wider Royal family, while moderating the specific duties the Monarch is expected to perform.

The monarch was dressed in a blue printed dress, cream cardigan and travelling jacket for the short flight to Berkshire 

According to the Sovereign Grant report, signed off by Sir Michael Stevens, the Keeper of the Privy Purse, the Queen’s role still has two key elements: Head of State and Head of Nation.

The Queen ‘must fulfil’ specific duties in the ‘formal constitutional concept’ of her role as Head of State.

These included the State Opening of Parliament, the appointment of the Prime Minister, and paying and receiving State Visits, previously laid out in a 13-point list.

These specific duties have been watered down with vaguer language that says the Queen’s role ‘encompasses a range of parliamentary and diplomatic duties’ and that she only ‘receives’ other visiting heads of state.

As Head of Nation, the Queen will only fulfil her duties ‘where appropriate or necessary’.

The Queen had been enjoying some time at the five-bedroom farmhouse, where Prince Philip lived after his retirement, following a busy trip to Edinburgh where she made three public appearances 

The specific duties have been swapped out for more generalised role of inspiring ‘unity and national identity’ and ‘continuity and stability’, recognising the ‘achievement and success’ of others and ensuring ‘support of service’ from volunteers to the emergency services and the military.

Of the six key events of the royal calendar previously listed, the State Opening has been removed, and four of the other five have been led by the Prince of Wales this year.

Last week the Queen took part in celebrations for Holyrood Week, which is also known as Royal Week.

On the first day she attended the Ceremony of the Keys with the Earl and Countess of Wessex, where she was symbolically handed the keys to Edinburgh city.

On Tuesday she watched a military parade in the gardens of Holyrood House Palace and on Thursday she attended the Reddendo Parade with Prince Charles.

During her time in Edinburgh she also met with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.