Despite her hopes of a normal stay, the monarch told friends she is unlikely to attend Sunday services at Crathie Kirk on the edge of her 50,000-acre estate during her two-month stay.

       The 95-year-old, who moved into Balmoral Castle yesterday after spending almost three weeks at another property on the estate, will be respecting restrictions still in place in Scottish churches and worshipping privately at Balmoral.

       The traditional welcome ceremony was not held last year because of Covid-19, so yesterday's parade was at least a return to a form of normality for the Queen, who wore bright pink for the occasion. Many relatives are expected to join her at Royal Deeside, including Prince Charles and wife Camilla, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children, Prince Edward and Sophie and their children, Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and Prince Andrew and his ex-wife the Duchess of York.

       Philip used to oversee barbecues but that duty now falls on someone else.

       Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie are expected to be invited to spend a weekend in September.

       Buckingham Palace declined to comment yesterday.