Flask in hand, the actress, 65, wrapped up in a long padded coat and warm ankle wellies - with pink netting to protect her royal curls - as she stepped aboard a royal yacht tender.

       Filming for the fifth series of the Netflix drama took place in Macduff harbour in Aberdeenshire - a spot visited by the Queen and Prince Philip 60 years ago on August 16, 1961.

       The new series is set in the 1990s, when royal marriages crumbled before the shocking death of Princess Diana.

       Staunton is taking over from Olivia Colman as the monarch, who was originally played by Claire Foy.

       During the shoot, also involving Downton Abbey actor Andrew Havill, the real Queen Elizabeth, 95, was just 60 miles away at Craigowan Lodge on the Balmoral estate.

       She is expected to move into Balmoral Castle in the next few days as it is now closed to tourists.