This is why the Queen had to interrupt her Balmoral summer break

• The Queen and Prince Philip have interrupted their Balmoral break.
• According to the Court Circular, the pair took on royal duties on Monday afternoon to receive Mr Paul Hughes.
• This follows royal news (opens in new tab) that she also had to postpone her holiday so she could meet the new Prime Minister last month.

Despite retiring from public life in 2017, Prince Philip accompanied the Monarch during this royal duty which saw them receiving Mr Paul Hughes, who was invested with the Insignia of a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO).

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In 2009, Paul received the Royal Victorian Order (MVO) because of his dedicated work as the chief clerk and accountant for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Household.

This award recognises distinguished personal service to the order’s Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth, any family members, or any viceroys. Paul’s most recent award from the monarch is of a higher rank.

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The Queen and Prince Philip have been at Balmoral since 6^th August, and have received many members of the royal family during their stay, including her sons Prince Charles and Prince Andrew.

Recently, The Queen was pictured in colour-coordinating outfits with the Countess of Wessex as they headed towards a church ceremony in a nearby town. Her grandchildren Lady Louise Windsor and James Viscount Severn also accompanied them.

Prince Andrew’s former wife Sarah Ferguson has also been in attendance at Balmoral, alongside her two daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. However, Sarah was only at the iconic property for a weekend as she has since returned to London.

The Sussex and Cambridge households are expected to join the family in Balmoral soon, though it's not yet known when the two households will join the family there.