Her Majesty the Queen’s ties with Scotland were in her DNA, as she was descended directly from James VI of Scotland through her father King George VI.
Meanwhile, on her mother’s side, she could trace her ancestry through generations of Scottish nobility back to the 14th century and Sir John Lyon, Thane of Glamis, who married King Robert II’s daughter.
And Glamis Castle was the ancestral home of the Queen Mother, as well as being the birthplace of the Queen’s sister, Princess Margaret, who was the first royal baby to be born in Scotland since 1600.
During childhood and throughout her reign the Queen spent plenty of time in Scotland, using the ancient royal palace of Holyroodhouse when in residence in Edinburgh.
But she had particular affection for her beloved family home of Balmoral, in Aberdeenshire, which was created by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as the royal family’s private retreat.
She was also said to be particularly fond of the the Royal Yacht Britannia which she launched at John Brown’s shipyard in Clydebank on April 16, 1953.
The boat was used for many trips around the world until it was decommisioned in 1997, later becoming a tourist attraction in Edinburgh’s Leith.
Here are 22 pictures of some of the Queen’s visits to Edinburgh through the years.
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5. Transported
Queen Elizabeth II inspecting bridles, sadles and halters during a visit to St Cuthbert's Transport Department in Edinburgh in June 1966. Photo: Unknown
6. Knight and day
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at the knights of the Thistle installation ceremony at St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, in 1966. Photo: Hamish Campbell
7. Royal arrival
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip arrive at the Royal College of Physicians, in Edinburgh, for a visit in 1966. Photo: Ian Brand
8. Festival fun
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth arrives at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre for the 2003 Royal Variety Performance. Photo: Jacky Ghossein