Queen's first Balmoral vacation without Prince Philip will include a special visit from this VIP couple

The Queen is expected to host two VIP guests on her first vacation without Prince Philip next month—but she must get Scotland's approval first. 

• The Queen is set to spend her first summer holiday at Balmoral Castle without Prince Philip in the coming weeks. 
• Her Majesty is expected to host two high-profile guests during the stay, but only if Scotland's COVID restrictions are lifted. 
• In other royal news, How Prince William and Kate Middleton are raising Prince George to live a ‘normal life’.
  

The Queen's vacation at Balmoral Castle this year is likely to be a poignant one, but fortunately, it looks like she won't have to face it alone. Her Majesty is expected to return to her official Scotland residence in the next few weeks for her first summer holiday without Prince Philip, who died aged 99 in April. 

The Queen and the late Duke of Edinburgh spent a relaxing six weeks at Balmoral Castle last summer, where they enjoyed walks, picnics, and plenty of fresh air within the confines of a COVID-safe support bubble. Now that UK restrictions are easing up, it's hoped that Her Majesty will be able to entertain guests at the plush 1852 country house. 

High on the invite list is Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife, Carrie Johnson, according to the Daily Express. The Queen is reportedly eager to meet the couple at Balmoral, having previously hosted them for a short stay in the Aberdeenshire estate in September 2019. 

However, it remains unclear whether or not the British monarch will be allowed to extend the invitation. 

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon has announced 9 August as the proposed date for lifting COVID restrictions, but this is subject to change based on infection rates. If the so-called 'Freedom Day' is postponed, the Queen might have to make do with a virtual meeting or phone call.

Boris and Carrie aren't the only people whose Balmoral trip could be canceled. Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla are also expected to pay a visit, along with Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their three children, George, Charlotte, and Louis. The Cambridge kids haven't stayed at the 50,000-acre estate in almost a year now, but are hoping to make the trip up north sometime soon. 

Balmoral Castle, which is located 165km north of the Queen's other Scottish residence of Holyrood, is open to the public every day until 2 August. Preparations will then begin for the monarch's visit the following month. The Royal Family normally stays in the estate's Craigowan Lodge, a seven-bedroom mansion nestled about 1.5km from the main castle.