The Duchess of Edinburgh has been able to enjoy some downtime this summer alongside her husband, Prince Edward, and their children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, the Earl of Wessex.
The duchess, who recently cut her blonde hair into a sleek bob, has had a busy schedule of late. Her engagements have included a royal tour to Portugal, appearances at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and watching her daughter Lady Louise graduate from the University of St Andrews.
A down-to-earth summer
Royal expert Jennie Bond told the Mirror that instead of lavish luxury trips, the Edinburghs will have spent their time in a more modest fashion. She explained that they tend to spend part of the summer at Sandringham, staying at Wood Farm, a fairly modest farmhouse where the late Duke of Edinburgh spent much of the final years of his life.
Bond said the family are keen on the great outdoors, so they will probably head to the beach when it is not too crowded or hit the tennis courts when it is not too hot. She added that they do not look for outlandish luxury on holiday, having sometimes visited Corfu, the birthplace of Prince Philip, and the West Country to catch up with old friends.
Balmoral gathering
Sophie and Edward are almost guaranteed to visit Balmoral this month for the Royal Family get-together. The King spends part of August and September on the 50,000-acre Scottish Highlands estate, with the Edinburghs almost always among the relatives.
There, the family can enjoy long walks, fishing trips, horse rides and barbecues. Edward's former girlfriend, West End star Ruthie Henshall, recently revealed how the royals love cookouts and do all their own cooking and cleaning after barbecues and picnics.
A family turning point
This summer marks a turning point for the Edinburghs as their children reach new milestones. Their youngest son, James, 18, received his A-level results last week, and Buckingham Palace announced he will attend the Royal Agricultural University in Gloucestershire to study rural land and property management. His grades and subjects were not disclosed.
Their older daughter, Lady Louise, recently announced she is taking a gap year, mixing working, volunteering, and travelling. Last month, she graduated from the University of St Andrews with a degree in English and international relations.
Bond noted that James has been helping out on the farm at Sandringham, driving tractors for the harvest, and Louise has been competing in a carriage driving competition. With their children now young adults, Edward and Sophie have more time for each other and for their royal duties.
Sophie has said she has brought them up with the expectation of earning a living outside the royal family, and the couple deliberately decided against making Louise and James HRHs or Prince and Princess. At 18, they had the choice to take up the titles, but neither has yet done so, giving them more freedom to lead 'normal' lives and pursue their own careers.
