The Queen has arrived in Scotland for the first official visit north of the border since the death of her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.
She will carry out in-person engagements celebrating Scottish community, innovation and history over the next four days as part of her traditional trip to Scotland for Holyrood Week.
The 95-year-old monarch, who has spent most of lockdown at Windsor Castle, will be joined first by her grandson the Duke of Cambridge – known as the Earl of Strathearn in Scotland – and then by her daughter the Princess Royal.
The Queen, who has continued with her duties as head of state despite grieving for her late husband, will stay at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, her official residence in Scotland.
She is joined by William at engagements on Monday, while Anne will accompany her on Wednesday and Thursday.
Queen Elizabeth II receives flowers as she meets employees during a visit to AG Barr's factory in Cumbernauld
Andrew Milligan
Holyrood Week, also known as Royal Week, was cancelled last year because of the pandemic.
This year, in line with Government guidelines, traditional events hosting thousands of people such as the garden party at Holyroodhouse will not take place.
In a series of tweets on Sunday, Buckingham Palace emphasised the Queen’s long-standing links to Scotland.
It said: “Tomorrow, The Queen will arrive in Scotland for #RoyalWeek2021 Royal Week, or ‘Holyrood Week’, takes place each Summer as The Queen and Members of the Royal Family undertake visits across Scotland celebrating Scottish culture, achievement and communities.
“Her Majesty is connected to Scotland by ancestry and deeply held affection. As well as spending family Summers at Balmoral Castle, The Queen has visited almost every area of Scotland from the Outer Hebrides to Dumfries, meeting Scots from all walks of life.”
The Duke of Cambridge, known as the Earl of Strathearn in Scotland, tries Irn-Bru as Queen Elizabeth II looks on
Andrew Milligan
Today, the Queen was given a tour of AG Barr’s factory in Cumbernauld, where the iconic Irn-Bru soft drink is manufactured.
The 95-year-old monarch was joined by the Duke of Cambridge as she officially opened the factory’s new process facility.
The Queen met employees and was given an overview of the history of the company.
