Her Majesty the Queen’s ties with Scotland were in her DNA, as she was descended directly from James VI of Scotland through her father King George VI.
Meanwhile, on her mother’s side, she could trace her ancestry through generations of Scottish nobility back to the 14th century and Sir John Lyon, Thane of Glamis, who married King Robert II’s daughter.
And Glamis Castle was the ancestral home of the Queen Mother, as well as being the birthplace of the Queen’s sister, Princess Margaret, who was the first royal baby to be born in Scotland since 1600.
During childhood and throughout her reign the Queen spent plenty of time in Scotland, using the ancient royal palace of Holyroodhouse when in residence in Edinburgh.
But she had particular affection for her beloved family home of Balmoral, in Aberdeenshire, which was created by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as the royal family’s private retreat.
She was also said to be particularly fond of the the Royal Yacht Britannia which she launched at John Brown’s shipyard in Clydebank on April 16, 1953.
The boat was used for many trips around the world until it was decommisioned in 1997, later becoming a tourist attraction in Edinburgh’s Leith.
Here are 22 pictures of some of the Queen’s visits to Edinburgh through the years.
Read more:
13. Key to the city
The Queen at Holyrood Palace in June 2004 where she received the keys of the city from Lord Provost Lesley Hinds. Photo: Rob McDougall
14. Young princess
Lord Elphinstone greeting the British Royal Family (left-right) Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, Princess Elizabeth and King George VI at Holyrood Palace on July 5, 1937. Photo: Fox Photos
15. Visiting the forces
The Queen pictured during a visit to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at Redford Barracks in 1984. Photo: Dennis Straughan
16. Procession
The Royal Procession travels up the Mound during the Queen's coronation visit in June 1953. Photo: TSPL