Queen, Prince Philip and dogs jet to Balmoral for summer staycation after isolating at Windsor

THE Queen, Prince Philip and their dogs today jetted to Balmoral for their summer staycation.

The 94-year-old monarch and her 99-year-old husband were pictured heading to RAF Northolt in London - boarding a private jet to take them to their summer residence in Scotland.

The couple have been at Windsor for since Easter, isolating there for five months during the coronavirus pandemic.

And they today headed off for their summer holiday in Scotland, where they may stay for up to three months.

The Queen looked ready to go on holidays, wearing a light blue jacket with pearls while she clutched her handbag. Philip wore a collared shirt under a green jumper.

The couple later touched down in Scotland, seen walking down the steps to a waiting Range Rover, whisked to Balmoral to begin their annual summer break.

A man later followed them down the steps, carrying one of the Queen's beloved dorgis.

The 13-seat Embraer Legacy 600 jet they flew on would normally cost around £18,000 to hire for the one way flight.

An insider previously revealed the couple would move at the start of August when the Covid restrictions on the over-70s will be lifted and the castle can reopen to tourists.

But despite the lockdown, the Queen and Prince Philip have both kept busy.

Today, Her Majesty released a message on Twitter wishing Meghan Markle a happy birthday as the Duchess of Sussex turned 39 in LA.

The Queen most recently knighted Sir Thomas Moore for his fundraising efforts for the NHS during the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the Duke of Edinburgh celebrated his 99th birthday - before stepping out of retirement to pass on his role as Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles to Camilla Parker Bowles.

The couple also attended Princess Beatrice's wedding in Windsor.

The Queen went to Windsor Castle from Sandringham on March 19 for a planned extended Easter break.

When lockdown came a ring of protection dubbed “HMS Bubble” was placed around her.

Two teams of 12 staff have been working three-week shifts.

Meanwhile Prince Charles and Camilla spent most of lockdown at Birkhall, on the 50,000-acre Balmoral estate, but left earlier last month.

The Queen has spent a 12-week break at Balmoral every summer of her 68-year reign.

The Scottish castle has been in the Royal Family since 1852 and boasts over 50,000 acres of land, 52 bedrooms and is estimated to be worth a cool £155 million according to .

And according to , The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh "take a close personal interest in running and improving the Estates" and visit the castle at least once a year on their summer break.

She normally stays at seven-bedroom Craigowan Lodge for a couple of weeks before moving into the castle after it is closed to tourists in early August.

But Balmoral has been shut during lockdown, allowing her to move immediately into the main house.

She usually attends Highland games at Braemar, but they have been cancelled.