Queen beams as she arrives at Balmoral Castle to continue her summer holidays for first time without Philip

THE Queen beamed as she arrived at Balmoral today to continue her summer holidays for the first time without Prince Philip.

Her Majesty rocked a smart pink coat with matching hat as she received an official welcome in a small ceremony outside the Scottish castle gates.

The 95-year-old is hosting her first family party since the pandemic began - but it will miss “Master of the BBQ” Philip.

However, the Queen looked content to be back at her and the duke's "happy place" - where she has spent every summer of her 69-year reign.

This year, she is expected to stay at the 50,000 acre property until early October.

The monarch is said to have found last summer “tiresome” under Covid-19 restrictions, which lift in Scotland today.

A Balmoral source said: “The Queen just wants to crack on. She is itching to get back to normal like everyone else.

“The family barbecues are back on the agenda even without Philip there for the first time.”

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Princes Andrew and Edward are expected to lead the gathering four months after their dad died.

Other likely visitors include pregnant Princess Beatrice and sister Eugenie, with William and Kate bringing their three children later this month.

Mike and Zara Tindall are also expected to come and stay.

The Queen last month visited Sandringham for the first time since her husband's death in April.

She flew into her Norfolk home, where she was seen wearing a white top adorned with pink roses and a green gilet as she drove around Wood Farm Cottage on the estate.

The monarch later went to Windsor Castle in her Range Rover before heading to her summer residence.

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.

The Queen will no doubt be looking forward to a well-deserved holiday this year amid the continuing furore over Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.

In the latest of a string of bombshells to rock the Firm, her grandson announced he was writing a memoir - leading one royal expert to say he had well and truly "gone rogue".

The whole of Scotland moved to level zero on 19 July, as coronavirus restrictions were eased across the UK.

Under current rules, up to eight adults from four households can meet indoors at home, and up to 10 can meet in a pub or a restaurant - without needing to book ahead.

Up to 15 adults from 15 households can meet outdoors.