Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee celebrations ended yesterday (07.08.12).
The British monarch celebrated with around 3,000 guests from around Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire in Scotland, sharing tea on the lawn of her Balmoral Estate.
The queen was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Earl and Countess of Wessex for the event, which brings to a close celebrations of her 60 years on the UK throne.
Ladies in their best dresses and colourful hats joined men in kilts and tartan trousers as they awaited the royals' arrival while tucking into sandwiches, cakes and cups of tea.
As the clocks chimed 4pm from the bell tower on the castle, the queen exited through the front door to a rapturous applause and a brass band playing the national anthem.
She had also dressed for the occasion, wearing a royal blue coat and a white and blue dress and hat, while Prince Philip and Prince Edward wore Balmoral tartan. Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, wore a deep purple dress and white hat.
The queen was then accompanied onto the lawn along with her family by four members of the Royal Company of Archers. The royals were seated and over tea received guests, who had been especially chosen because of the impact they had on their local area.
This was only the second time her beloved Deeside holiday home has been used for such an event with the first occasion being to mark the end of her Golden Jubilee 10 years ago.
