The Queen and Prince Philip have been forced to self-isolate for several months as the deadly coronavirus infection spread rapidly far and wide across Britain. The couple spent the duration of lockdown isolating at Windsor Castle, but have now left their home to visit another homestead: Balmoral. But could this move prove which grandchildren they favour?
The Queen and Prince Philip met with members of the Royal Family in person for the first time in several months for Princess Beatrice’s wedding.
The wedding held at The Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge in Windsor on July 17.
The bride borrowed a vintage gown from the Queen and was joined by selected members of the Royal Family including the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Now the Queen and Philip have been joined by family once again after inviting the Wessex family to join them at Balmoral Castle.
READ MORE: Rule stops Queen’s ‘favourite’ grandchild Lady Louise being Duchess
Last year a royal insider said the Queen was favourable towards her youngest grandchildren because of this shared love.
The insider said: “The Queen loves the fact that Louise and James relish their time at Balmoral and she has become particularly close to Louise, who seems to have become her favourite grandchild, closely followed by James.”
Many royal experts claim the Queen says she is happiest in Balmoral.
This is somewhat proven by the fact that the royals could choose to spend time luxuriating abroad each summer but instead always opt to summer in the Scottish highlands.
The royal insider told : “Louise also endeared herself to everyone by looking after William and Kate’s children when they were up there.
“Louise loves drawing and sketching and was very patiently trying to get Charlotte to do pictures of rabbits and deer.”
The insider added Louise and the Queen have in the brought closer due to Louise’s artistic skill.
The insider added: “Because of her obvious artistic skill, the Queen allowed Louise to look through some of the collection of Queen Victoria’s Highlands sketches, which are kept at Balmoral but are rarely dug out these days.”
The Queen and Louise also share a love of horses and have been photographed enjoying gentle rides together sometimes accompanied by Sophie.
James Viscount Severn is said to be a fan of fly-fishing, an endeavour which Prince Philip is said to have developed a passion for in recent years.
In 2015, a royal insider told Express.co.uk: “Fishing has become his favourite pastime at Balmoral because he can no longer shoot.
If he has caught some brown trout he loves to cook it over a barbecue.
“As long as he is active and not sitting around he is happy.”
The royal source told : “[James’] enthusiasm for fly-fishing delighted Her Majesty because it’s a sport beloved of James’ great-granny, the late Queen Mother.
“James was in the Dee as often as possible, waders up to his armpits.
“His mother Sophie, who was a keen fisherwoman herself, liked to stand with him.
“The Balmoral ghillies [gamekeepers] were impressed by both of them.”
