Queen cracks joke when unwitting American tourists fail to recognise her on Balmoral estate

A group of American tourists failed to recognise the Queen after they met her walking on her Scottish estate.

The 93-year-old monarch had been out for a stroll in the grounds of Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, accompanied by protection officer Richard Griffin. 

She was dressed in tweeds and wearing a headscarf when she came across the group of tourists. 

Unaware of who she was they struck up a conversation and asked her if she lived in the area to which she replied that she did indeed have a house nearby.

They went on to question whether she had ever met the Queen herself. 

Not wanting to reveal who she was, she enjoyed a private joke as she gestured towards Mr Griffin and said: ‘No but this policeman has.’  

Mr Griffin has worked closely with the royal family for more than 30 years.

Speaking to the Times, he said that the group moved on after a short while and remained oblivious to her true identity.  

The 93-year-old monarch had been out for a stroll in the grounds of Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, accompanied by protection officer Richard Griffin

The Queen often enjoys a low-key lifestyle when staying at Balmoral and opts for more pared-back clothes and wellington boots

Although it was not a recent encounter, the Queen does often enjoy a more low-key lifestyle when staying at Balmoral. 

She usually swaps her signature eye-catching coloured dresses that she wears to royal engagements for pared-back clothes and wellington boots. 

Balmoral Castle has been a residency of the British royal family since 1852.

It sits on extensive grounds that cover an area of around 50,000 acres. 

As a working estate, it includes forestry and farmland as well as managed herds of deer, Highland cattle and ponies.