HM and Duke enjoy a surprise day off

She was supposed to be in London yesterday for the State Opening of Parliament.

now that it has been delayed until tomorrow, the Queen took advantage of the fine weather to go for a ride in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

The 91-year- old Monarch was joined by a male companion on the hottest day of the year.

The Queen, right, appeared to be wearing jodhpurs and headscarf with a light beige jacket and gloves.

Meanwhile, her husband, the Duke of edinburgh, could also be seen taking his coach and horses out for a ride through the sprawling estate.

Philip, 96, has been an avid carriage driver since 1971, when he took up the activity — which he described as a ‘geriatric sport’ — after giving up polo, aged 50.

he was instrumental in helping to establish it as a sport in Britain.

he enjoys regular outings with Prince Charles’s old friend Countess Mountbatten, formerly Lady Brabourne.

Prince Philip once said: ‘I thought it would be a nice weekend activity, rather like golfing.’