Snapshots of joy at beloved home

It is a simple snapshot of celebration, friends and family gathering to welcome a sailor home from war.

And, in the corner of the frame, his happy, relieved mother smiles as she captures the moment, recording the fun on a cine camera.

It is 1982, the sailor is Prince Andrew, the venue is Balmoral, the war is the Falklands where he served on HMS Invincible as a helicopter pilot, and the mother making home movies? The Queen.

The moments caught on camera give an insight into the relaxed fun and happiness the royals found on Royal Deeside. The snaps show the family, joined by staff and friends from the neighbouring village of Ballater, as they celebrate with a piper on board a rowing boat transformed into Invincible, while Andrew’s big brother, now King Charles III, dresses for laughs in three kilts to toast his homecoming with a bottle of whisky.