Evening

On some evenings, The Queen may attend a Royal Film premiere, Variety and Concert performances in aid of charitable causes, or receptions or suppers linked to organisations of which she is Patron. The Queen also hosts official receptions at Buckingham Palace (usually with other members of the Royal family), such as those for the Diplomatic Corps and The Queen's Award for Industry. Other receptions mark the work of particular groups in the community, such as those recently given for field workers in humanitarian organisations and for sportsmen and women.

The Queen has numerous private interests, which can coincide with her public work, to complete her working day. She attends concerts, theatre performances and art exhibitions. The Queen also attends the Derby and the Summer Race Meeting at Ascot, a Royal occasion, and as a keen owner and breeder of racehorses, she often sees her horses run at other meetings.

As owner of private estates at Balmoral and Sandringham, both of which The Queen and other members of the Royal family regularly visit, The Queen, with The Duke of Edinburgh, oversees the management of the estates which are run on a commercial basis. She takes a close interest in all aspects of this management, particularly in the tenant farmers and employees who live and work on the estates.

Through her public and private work, The Queen is well-briefed and well-known; she has met many more people from all walks of life both in this country and overseas than her predecessors. This takes time and effort. Often, one of the last lights on in the Palace at night is The Queen finishing her 'red box' of official papers.