How the Queen's staff's behaviour at Balmoral led to racy nickname

The Queen's favourite residence has reportedly earned itself a racy nickname, her Scottish summer home dubbed "Immoral Balmoral".

But Her Majesty isn't the one to blame for the less-than-flattering moniker; apparently it's her staff who have been up to no good there.

"There's really nothing for staff to do there except having affairs with each other, which is how it got its name Immoral Balmoral," royal commentator Ingrid Seward told Ok! Magazine.

According to her 1995 book Prince Edward: A biography, the royal courtiers enjoy something of a "holiday fling" when they spend the summer at Balmoral.

With a more relaxed atmosphere than the Queen's other royal residences, Balmoral is certainly the place of choice when it comes to courtiers letting their hair down. Or, at least, loosening it.

While staff are expected to maintain certain standards and traditions, it's understood Her Majesty is more casual with her staff and they often enjoy nights off and special picnics on the grounds.

There's even rumours of actual "flings" between members of the royal staff.

RELATED: Staff ask visitors to stop 'relieving' themselves on Balmoral Castle grounds

It helps that the Queen is usually "off duty" during her summer months in Scotland, meaning she has fewer important duties to attend to and is therefore more relaxed herself.

She even takes over some of her staff's duties while in Scotland, according to Seward.

"The Queen even loves to do the washing up with her rubber gloves on," she revealed.

"You think I'm joking, but I'm not. They put the gloves on and stick their hands in the sink. The Queen asks if you've finished, she stacks the plates up and goes off to the sink."

RELATED: Victoria Arbiter: The special place Balmoral holds in the Queen's heart

Other members of the royal family often travel to Scotland to join Her Majesty at Balmoral, they too hoping to enjoy some holiday R & R during the summer lull in the royal calendar.

But this year things will play out a little differently, as the coronavirus pandemic is still a very real danger in the UK and around the world.

Still, after being isolated at Windsor Castle for months, Her Majesty and Prince Philip are eager for a change of scenery and are expected to move to Balmoral soon.

"I think the Queen's been desperate to go," Seward said.

"She says it's the only place that she can really relax, enjoy her freedom and be herself away from prying eyes. She can clear her mind and have a think without being bothered by the niceties of court life."

While the monarch does still work during her summer break, she'll be able to do so far from the stresses of London or the isolation of Windsor.

However, it's unlikely she'll have any guests this summer, as she and Philip are both in their 90s and therefore considered at high risk of complications if they were to contract COVID-19.

While there's been no announcement of dates, it's understood the couple will head north on August 1, when the UK government plans to end the strict restrictions for the over-70s.