Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Edward spotted in Scotland as Kate and William expected to follow

Royal photographer Maurice Wijnen wrote on social media: "A royal sighting in Edinburgh this morning.

"Prince Edward and Sophie walking near Holyrood Palace."

Although the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Balmoral are located just over 100 miles apart, it is likely that Sophie and Edward would be heading to Aberdeenshire shortly after their visit to Edinburgh.

The duchess looked stylish in a £970 double-breasted blazer from Max Mara.

Sophie paired the blazer with a £175 blue maxi dress from Me + Em.

For footwear, the mother-of-two donned £70 white espadrilles from TOMS.

It has been widely reported that the Prince and Princess of Wales will be joining the King, Queen and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh in Balmoral this summer.

As of this past weekend, Kate and William, both 42, are still in Norfolk with their children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6.

Princess Kate and Prince William took their children to a Nerf gun party at the Gone Wild Festival at Holkham Hall, Norfolk.

Norfolk Nerf Parties boss Georgina Barron provided an insight into the event, sharing that Prince Louis said: "Nerf or nothing, let's do this!"

Barron added that the Princess of Wales "grabbed a Nerf gun, ran around, and played stuck in the mud with her kids" during the party.

The royals were not photographed at the event but enjoyed a "wholesome family day like any other normal family" according to The Mail.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to take their young children to Balmoral in the coming weeks.

It will be the furthest that Princess Kate has travelled since being diagnosed with cancer.

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King Charles was photographed arriving at the Scottish castle today.

The monarch met the Shetland pony Cpl Cruachan IV (mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland) during an inspection of Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, at the gates of Balmoral.

Charles will take up summer residence at the castle alongside Queen Camilla, following in the tradition of the late monarch Queen Elizabeth II.