May we marry Ma'am: Eugenie's beau welcomed by the Queen

Smiling cautiously and dressed smartly, the lovestruck couple landed last week to spend the weekend with Her Majesty at Balmoral Castle. 

As our world exclusive pictures show, the Duke and Duchess of York’s 26-year-old daughter is introducing the nightclub manager to her beloved “Granny” in the relaxed atmosphere of the 90-year-old monarch’s Highlands retreat, where Prince Harry is hosting a shooting party to celebrate his 32nd birthday. 

To add to the excitement of the occasion, Theresa May is also among the guests as the Prime Minister makes her first visit to the Queen’s holiday home in Royal Deeside this weekend. Last month, the Sunday Express revealed that Eugenie and Jack plan to get engaged within months and marry next year before moving into Ivy Cottage at Kensington Palace. 

Our story – which made global headlines – told how the couple are “blissfully happy” and cannot wait to tie the knot. 

The pair flew to Aberdeen on a scheduled service from London on Thursday and travelled by car to the 19th-century castle near Ballater. 

Eugenie wore an elegant dark blue dress and jacket, which she topped off with sunglasses. 

Jack wore a smart dark blue suit and yellow tie, which he adjusted nervously as he left the plane. 

An insider at the Castle said last night: “You could call this weekend a rite of passage for Jack. 

“There is no way he would be invited to stay with the Queen unless he was being welcomed into the royal fold and the bosom of the family. 

“Jack has met the Queen before but these few days will enable her to get to know him much better and see what he is like as a prospective member of the family. 

“Eugenie doesn’t have to ask the Queen for permission to marry but she obviously wants her to be happy with her choice of husband. 

“These relaxed weekends are the ideal way to break the ice. 

“Prince Harry is very close to Eugenie and of course will be her neighbour at Kensington Palace. 

“He is hosting the shooting weekend and making sure that everyone is having a great time. 

Harry is the perfect guy to make Jack feel at home and not too nervous in the presence of the Queen.”

A friend of 29-year-old Jack added: “You could say he was somewhat apprehensive about going to Balmoral. 

“But Jack has no side to him and will just be himself. He’s the sort of chap who doesn’t have any enemies and I’m sure he will make a good impression.” 

A week ago the Queen was photographed driving the Duchess of Cambridge and her mother Carole around Balmoral during a weekend shoot hosted by Prince William. 

The insider said: “Now that the Queen is 90 and Prince Philip is 95, they don’t host the shoots themselves and stay out all day. 

“Instead other members of the family host weekends and they turn up here and there, maybe for lunch, to see how the day is going. 

“Last week it was Prince William’s turn and this weekend it’s Harry’s.” 

The party guests have been shooting grouse and other birds with dozens of soldiers and estate workers on hand to do the beating. 

It is not known if Jack is a novice with a gun but an estate source has confirmed: “He will have expert advice and will soon pick it up.” 

In an interview to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday earlier this year, Eugenie said: “Balmoral is the most beautiful place on earth. 

“I think Granny is most happy there.” While staying at Balmoral, Jack will be expected to join the royals for pre-dinner drinks and dress formally for the evening meal. 

He was spotted carrying a suit bag off the plane on Thursday. And tea is also a daily ritual when the royals tuck into cucumber sandwiches, homemade scones with jam and cups of Earl Grey tea. 

Eugenie, who is eighth in line to the throne, began dating Jack six years ago after they met while skiing in the Swiss resort of Verbier. 

One friend said: “There was an immediate attraction and they have been together ever since. “Eugenie’s parents love him and he has been on summer holidays with them. 

“Sarah has treated him as a son-in-law for some time and she and Andrew are very pleased for their daughter.

“Everyone likes Jack and he will make a wonderful husband and hopefully, in time, father.” 

Our story last month came just a week after it was revealed that Eugenie’s older sister Beatrice had split from her long-term boyfriend Dave Clark. 

“He was never invited to Balmoral for a weekend like this in 10 years,” said the insider. “And that speaks volumes.”