Queen is reunited with notoriously naughty Shetland pony who once ate her flowers as she kicks off Balmoral summer holidays

THE Queen today grinned as she was reunited with the notoriously naughty Shetland pony who once ate her flowers and did a poo in front of her.

The 93-year-old - an avid horse fan - made sure to say hello to the Cruachan IV as she kicked off her summer holidays at Balmoral in Scotland.

She didn't seem to be put off from their previous encounters, that saw the Shetland do a poo in front of her last year.

And it's not the first time the small pony had a memorable meeting with the Queen - two years ago trying to eat her flowers.

But the Queen - noticeably without flowers - seemed eager to pat the pony this afternoon.

In a baby blue outfit with matching hat, the monarch seemed relaxed for her trip up north for the summer months.

And she has good reason to be in good spirits - staying in her favourite royal residence in Scotland.

The Scottish castle has been in the Royal Family since 1852 and boasts over 50,000 acres of land, 52 bedrooms and is estimated to be worth a cool £155 million according to .

However, the breath-taking estate - situated in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire - holds more than just monetary value for the Royals as the sprawling countryside castle allows them privacy away from The Queen's Buckingham Palace headquarters.

In the recent documentary Our Queen at Ninety, Princess Eugenie said her grandmother is "the most happy" during her Balmoral visits as she occupies her time with "walks, picnics and a lot of dogs".

What's more, Prince Philip has taken a keen interest in gardening and "created a large vegetable garden" which adjoins to the lavish gardens on the North side of the castle, the  reveals.

And according to , The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh "take a close personal interest in running and improving the Estates" and visit the castle at least once a year on their summer break.

Prince Harry previously had a memorable meeting with the pony last year, being nipped by the little horse.

In more Royal Family news, The Queen has made an "unusual effort" to welcome Meghan Markle as she doesn't want her to feel alienated like Princess Diana, a royal commentator has claimed.

And Meghan Markle should "be a lady, not a hustler" according to controversial Lady Colin Campbell during her Good Morning Britain appearance.