The Queen Begins Her Summer Vacation in Balmoral

It's that time of year again – the Queen has left Buckingham Palace to begin her summer vacation in Balmoral.

Her Majesty departed on Thursday and is expected to stay in Scotland until September, which is a long-standing tradition for the royal family.

Typically, the Queen previews the summer exhibition at her London home before heading to Balmoral, but this year she broke with tradition and left without doing so.

The display, titled Prince and Patron, showcases Prince Charles' love of art and is open to tourists.

While the Queen usually stays at Balmoral Castle, it won't be available until the end of July when it closes to the public.

In the meantime, she will stay at Craigowan Lodge, a seven-bedroom stone house located one mile from the castle.

This lodge is her preferred choice every year and was frequently used by Prince Charles and Princess Diana when they would visit in the summer.

The lodge is where the Queen and her family will enjoy their summer residence in private in August.

When tourists leave and the estate is closed to members of the public, Her Majesty usually marks the beginning of her holiday in the first week of August, when she inspects a battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, who provide security for the royals during their stay.

Princess Eugenie has previously spoken about how much her grandparents love their Scottish home.

”It's the most beautiful place on earth,” Eugenie said during ITV's documentary Our Queen at 90.

”I think Granny is the most happy there.

I think she really, really loves the Highlands.

Walks, picnics, dogs, a lot of dogs, there's always dogs, and people coming in and out all the time.

It's a lovely base for Granny and Grandpa, for us to come and see them up there, where you just have room to breathe and run.”

Balmoral Castle has been the Scottish home of the royal family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1850 for £32,000.

The property remains privately owned by the Queen, as is Sandringham, and is not publicly funded.