The Queen goes horse riding with the royal family at Balmoral

The royal family have been pictured embarking on a day of outdoor activities as they enjoy a traditional summer at Balmoral in Scotland. 

The Queen, who spends every summer at the Scottish castle, was seen enjoying a horse ride alongside a groom today, dressed in a trench coat and  a headscarf, though the accomplished rider opted against wearing a helmet.

The monarch, 93,  was joined by Prince Edward, 55, her youngest son, who was pictured riding alongside his daughter Lady Louise Windsor, 15.

Elsewhere Edward’s wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, 54, was seen taking their son James, Viscount Severn, 11, to try his hand at fly fishing on the River Dee.

Edward’s wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, 54, was seen taking their son James, Viscount Severn, 11, to try his hand at fly fishing on the River Dee at Balmoral

Dressed in a camouflaged anorak, a cap, combats and wellies, James watched on as he was shown how to use a fishing reel.

Meanwhile Sophie, dressed in a camouflage cap, anorak and boots, walked their dog as she looked on.

At one point Sophie and James were seen watching the fishing from a nearby bench, before enjoying a leisurely stroll through the leafy grounds. 

Meanwhile Edward and daughter Louise enjoyed some quality father and daughter time on horseback, both wearing their helmets. 

The monarch, 93, was joined by Prince Edward, her youngest son, who was pictured riding alongside his daughter Lady Louise Windsor, 15

Edward and daughter Louise enjoyed some quality father and daughter time on horseback, both wearing their helmets

This year the traditional grouse shoot, which is an annual fixture in the royal calendar on the Queen’s 50,000-acre Scottish estate, has been called off.

The grouse shooting has been cancelled at Balmoral this year due to a fall in bird numbers.

Yesterday was the ‘Glorious 12th’ of August – the start of the grouse hunting season.

Shooting grouse is relished by the Royal Family on their summer holidays at Balmoral but heavy snowfall at the end of last year – followed by a dry and humid start to this summer – has reduced game bird breeding.

Dressed in a camouflaged anorak, a cap, combats and wellies, James watched on as he was shown how to use a fishing reel

Pictured: The royals out riding and fishing at Balmoral on Holiday -Sophie Wessex out with her on James Who is learning to fly fish on the River De

An estate source said: ‘Grouse numbers go up and down but this year they have plummeted.

‘There probably will be no grouse shooting on Balmoral this season. It’s very disappointing. There is still [deer] stalking.’

Other popular activities at Balmoral include horse-riding, picnics and country walks.

One person who may not be disappointed at the grouse shooting is the Duchess of Sussex, who is an active supporter of wildlife conservation and avid animal lover.

A source told The Sun: ‘Meghan is a fish eater and will apparently try her hand at fly fishing which will please Prince Charles as it was his beloved grandmother’s passion.

‘But there will no softening on Meghan’s stance against hunting, any stag or deer hunting fills her with horror.

‘Venison will not be one of her menu choices for sure.’

The Queen was dressed in a trench coat and a headscarf, though the accomplished rider opted against wearing a helmet

This year the traditional grouse shoot, which is an annual fixture in the royal calendar on the Queen’s 50,000-acre Scottish estate, has been called off – but fly fishing, seen, is still on

The grouse shooting has been cancelled at Balmoral this year due to a fall in bird numbers, – but fly fishing, seen, is still on

Meanwhile Sophie, dressed in a camouflage cap, anorak and boots, walked their dog as she looked on

At one point Sophie and James were seen watching from a nearby bench, before enjoying a leisurely stroll through the leafy grounds

Pictured: Prince Edward Out Riding at Balmoral with Lady Louise

Fly fishing is popular at Balmoral, and other popular activities at Balmoral include horse-riding, picnics and country walks