Every year the Queen travels to Balmoral castle in Scotland for an extended period over the summer. 

The trip is well documented as the Queen's favourite time of year, with the Deeside area hugely popular with the Royals as a whole. 

Of course, Prince Philip, who died in April, will be missing this year from the cohort travelling north. 

Before taking up official residence in Balmoral castle, the Queen enjoys a couple of weeks 'off', where she stays in a nearby cottage and takes time to ride horses and walk. 

The castle remains open to the public during this time, only closing when the Queen moves in at the beginning of August. 

Is this the Queen's first trip to Balmoral without Prince Philip?

This year marks the Queen's first summer holiday without her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, who died in April aged 99. 

With Balmoral thought to hold a special place in the hearts of the Royal couple, it was reported that the Queen travelled to Deeside earlier this year in order to grieve privately. 

Their granddaughter, Princess Eugenie, has previously said that she thinks her "Granny is most happy there" because she "really, really loves the Highlands."

It was not only the place the couple spent months each summer, but the destination of their honeymoon back in 1947. 

Throughout her stay, which will likely last until October, the Queen will be joined by various family members, with Prince Charles even owning his own etstate nearby. 

Indeed, it was in Deeside where the heir to the throne isolated last year after contracting Covid. 

Traditionally UK Prime Ministers are invited to spend some time at Balmoral over the summer, though it is unlikely this will be the case this summer due to the pandemic. 

While the family also usually enjoys a trip to Braemar's Highland Games, this year such visits are ruled out. 

When the Duke of Edinburgh passed away, the Queen chose to share a photo from her private collection with the world

The picture showed the pair sitting in the Coyles of Muick near Balmoral, which has since proved a namesake for the Queen's new corgi, named Muick. 

When is Victoria week?

During the Queen's stay in Balmoral, local town Ballater celebrates Victoria week, which is currently scheduled to take place from August 7-15. 

Over the course of a week, competitions and events across the town take place, aiming to raise funds for numerous local causes. 

The name is a nod to Queen Victoria, who, like Queen Elizabeth, loved Deeside and spent much time in the area.