The Queen has been spotted driving out of Windsor Castle as she heads to Sandringham for her 96th birthday tomorrow.
The monarch travelled to the Norfolk estate this morning, where she will stay at her beloved husband Prince Philip's former home of Wood Farm so she can feel close to him on her birthday.
She was seen being driven out of the castle in a black Range Rover on Wednesday morning.
It is set to be an emotional visit for the Queen, who will be visited tomorrow by friends who live close by, it is understood.
She is expected to be joined by members of the royal family over the weekend to celebrate.
Royal sources said the Queen’s “mini-break” was a “positive step” that she is prepared to make the journey given her ongoing mobility issues.
Her Majesty has been forced to cancel or miss several high-profile engagements over recent months due to her ailing health.
Palace sources have said the monarch should “not be expected” at any future public events ahead of time and will instead “make a decision on the day” as to whether she can attend.
A royal source said: “The Queen decided very recently that on her birthday she wanted to be as close as possible to her late husband and in an environment that was very close to both of their hearts.
“Sandringham holds so many special memories for the Queen and Prince Philip as well as the rest of the royal family
“It’s certainly a positive step that Her Majesty is feeling well enough and rested to enjoy her upcoming mini-break which she thoroughly deserves to celebrate her birthday.”
The Duke of Edinburgh retired to Wood Farm after he retired from royal life in 2017.
He transformed the Sandringham estate into an organic farm and took great pride in managing the grounds until it was taken over by Prince Charles.
The Queen's arrival at Wood Farm comes after her grandson Prince Harry opened up about his secret meeting with his grandmother on a trip to the UK last week.
Harry and wife Meghan Markle have made a series of bombshell claims since they walked away from the Royal Family, and Buckingham Palace was braced for more today.
In the interview, he admitted he doesn't know if he will return to the UK for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations this summer.
Harry sat down for a tell-all chat with NBC TV host Hoda Kotb, which was broadcast today on the American morning show Today.
He was asked if he planned to return to the UK for the Jubilee celebrations, which take place in June, with his wife Meghan and children Archie and Lilibet.
But he said: "I don't know yet. There's lots of things: security issues and everything else.
"So this is what I'm trying to do, trying to make it possible that, you know, I can get my kids to meet her."
He told the host: "Being with her, it was great.
"It was just so nice to see her … She’s on great form. She's always got a great sense of humour with me and I'm just making sure she's protected and got the right people around her."
The host went on to tell Harry how it's common knowledge he has a habit of making the Queen laugh and asked if he was able to again.
With a smile on his face, he nodded as he responded: "Yes, I did. Both Meghan and I had tea with her and it was really nice to catch up with her."
