While summer is all but a distant memory for most of the population, the Queen was enjoying the last Sunday of her annual summer break in the Scottish Highlands this morning.
Joined by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall – but not Prince Philip, the Queen appeared in high spirits as she made the short journey from her Balmoral residence for the church service in nearby Craithie.
Her royal highness, 91, looked resplendent in a bright turquoise hat with a pale grey trim that co-ordinated perfectly with her tweed jacket.
A final visit this season to Craithie church: the Queen was greeted by well-wishers as she arrived this morning at the church service close to Balmoral
And not far behind were the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall – known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay while in Scotland – who will stay at their Birkhall home until next week
With autumn already in full swing, the Queen saw off any mid-morning chilly weather with a longer mid-blue skirt and a pair of black gloves.
Flanked by Royal Guards, the fleet of cars also included Charles and Camilla, who’ve spent recent days with the Queen on the Balmoral Estate.
Dozens of well-wishers turned out to bid farewell to the Queen ahead of her return to England later this week.
The Royal Guard – Balaklava Company, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland – provided a guard of honour for the Queen and the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall
The 91-year-old monarch wore a turquoise hat with grey trim and matching tweed jacket, with a triple-tiered string of pearls around her neck
The Queen is expected to head south on Tuesday after a long summer break in the Scottish Highlands
Tradition: the armed guards flank the road up to the hill-side church in Craithie as the royal cortege passes them by
Crathie Church lies next door to Balmoral and the Queen has been a regular presence at services since she began her annual break in the last fortnight in July.
Her final trip to the church this season warranted the Royal Guard – this year Balaklava Company, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland – providing a guard of honour as the cars made their way up to the hill-top church.
The Queen will return to England on Tuesday while Charles and Camilla – known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay while in Scotland – are expected to stay a week longer at their Birkhall home on the Balmoral Estate.
Meanwhile, Prince Philip, who has stepped down from public duty did not attend the service.
The Queen’s Consort announced in May he would be retiring from royal engagements, a decision which was fully supported by the Queen and was said not to be medically related.
The Duke of Edinburgh has carried out around 22,220 solo engagements, been on 637 foreign trips and given 5,493 speeches since 1947.