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The Queen has her very own tartan - but no one else can wear it

Canadian Governor General Designate Julie Payette meets Queen Elizabeth II during a private audience at Balmoral Castle, Scotland.
The Queen, wearing the Balmoral tartan skirt, with Canadian Governor General Designate Julie Payette at Balmoral Castle. [Photo: Getty]

The Queen is currently spending the summer at Balmoral Castle, in Scotland.

The 93-year-old takes a break from her royal duties from, roughly, August to October each year and is usually joined by other members of her family.

While Balmoral offers the royals privacy, Her Majesty is often spotted on her way to church on Sundays or enjoying the famous Braemar games.

While in Scotland, her wardrobe is usually a lot more relaxed and she swaps her bright coats for outdoor wear and tartan midi skirts.

But, did you know that the Queen has her very own official tartan?

According to the Scottish Register of Tartans, the original Balmoral tartan, which is grey with black and red checks, was designed by Queen Victoria’s husband in 1853.

It is worn by the Queen herself as a skirt and several members of the Royal Family but only with Her Majesty’s permission.

It states: “The only other approved wearer of the Balmoral Tartan is the Queen's personal piper.”

READ MORE: The Queen receives sad news during her stay at Balmoral

BRAEMAR, UNITED KINGDOM - SEPTEMBER 02: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales attend the 2017 Braemar Gathering at The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park on September 2, 2017 in Braemar, Scotland. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
The Queen wearing the Royal Stewart tartan. [Photo: Getty]

Originally, it was the Royal Stewart tartan (dating back to the 1800s) that was the personal one of the reigning monarch. However, over the years, the red design with stripes of green and blue, became widely worn and is now regarded as universal.

Traditionally people wear the tartan which relates to their family name or clan, but it has become a popular fashion trend.

The Duchess of Cambridge has been spotted wearing a number of plaid outfits since marrying into the Royal Family.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04:  Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge host a Christmas party for families of military personnel deployed in Cyprus at Kensington Palace on December 4, 2018 in London, England.  (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
The Duchess of Cambridge wearing an Emilia Wickstead tartan skirt for a Christmas party at Kensington Palace last year. [Photo: Getty]

Last Christmas, she donned an Emilia Wickstead skirt for a Christmas party at Kensington Palace, and has repeated her Alexander McQueen Black Watch coat. She also owns tartan jackets by Moloh and Miu Miu.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during the visit to Edinburgh Castle and the attendance of the 13 o�clock gunfire in Edinburgh, UK. (Photo by DPPA/Sipa USA)
Meghan Markle wearing a tartan Burberry coat in Edinburgh in February 2018. [Photo: PA]

Before she became the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle wore a Burberry tartan coat to visit Edinburgh in February 2018.