The Queen shocked regulars at one of Edinburgh's best-known pubs by dropping in for a bite to eat after a day at the races, it has emerged.

She visited The Sheep Heid Inn on Friday night after giving staff an hour’s notice of her impending visit.

The small royal party is understood to have taken a window seat and to have ordered two portions of lamb rump, one sea bass fillet, a martini and a half bottle of white wine.

Main meals are advertised at around £16.50 on the pub's regular menu but it is not known which of the dishes the Queen ordered.

One member of staff said they had been “sworn to secrecy”, adding: “I have no idea how her visit got out there.” Staff were also ordered to delete any photographs they had taken during the visit.