The Queen surprised royal watchers on Monday evening as she stepped out for dinner with her daughter Princess Anne and her first cousin Princess Alexandra. Her Majesty, who is rarely spotted out and about in London apart from when she carries out royal engagements, was pictured arriving at Bellamy's in Mayfair.
The 89-year-old monarch was her usual impeccable self, wearing a glitzy green dress and strands of pearls for the royal reunion.
She arrived in a separate car from her daughter Anne, who wrapped up in a black cape, and her cousin Alexandra, who wore a full-length violet dress and fur coat.
© Photo: RexThe Queen is rarely spotted dining out in London
It is not known why the royal trio were meeting, but a spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace declined to comment, saying it was a private dinner. It's likely that the restaurant will have been closed off to members of the public, so that the Queen and her family could enjoy complete privacy.
Bellamy's is a French brasserie and oyster bar and clearly holds a special place in the Queen's heart. It's one of the few restaurants in London that Her Majesty has dined in apart from Caviar Kaspia, the French gourmet restaurant that used to occupy the same site, The Ritz and Heston Blumenthal's Dinner.
© Photo: RexHer Majesty was joined by her first cousin Princess Alexandra
The royals may well have dined on Bellamy's signature dishes including steak tartare, venison medallions or grilled swordfish, which all feature on the evening menu. For dessert, crème brûlée, tarte tatin and ile flottante are all options.
Apart from the royals, Bellamy's is a favourite with many celebrities and A-listers including Elizabeth Hurley, David Hockney, Kristin Scott Thomas and Princess Alexandra's sister-in-law Princess Michael of Kent.
© Photo: RexBellamy's is a French brasserie and oyster bar in Mayfair
Next month the nation will celebrate the Queen's milestone birthday as she turns 90 on 21 April. Her main celebration will take place in June with the traditional Trooping the Colour and other special events, including The Patron's Lunch, which has been dubbed "the biggest street party" London has ever seen.
Over 10,000 people will gather on the Mall for a picnic-style lunch on 12 June, where they will dine on typically British food.
