The royal library that's frozen in time: Photo inside the Queen's Balmoral retreat shows her antique clock, cushions with a crown motif and VERY retro heater (but Her Majesty does have a Sky box)

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From the skirted armchairs to the antique clock on the mantelpiece, this photograph could have been taken decades ago.

But the image was captured today in the library at the royal residence of Balmoral, and shows how Her Majesty has taken great care to preserve the traditional decor inside her beloved Scottish estate.  

It captures how the thrifty Queen prefers to keep the same furniture and accessories inside her homes, rather than splash out unnecessarily on the latest must-haves. 

However the monarch, 91, has allowed herself one modern luxury - beneath the Samsung television sits the remote for a Sky box, showing that not even Her Majesty wants to risk missing an episode of her favourite programme.

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Pictured: 1. An armchair, believed to have been re-covered and finished in the Queen's preferred skirted style; 2. A Samsung television and Sky box, a rare modern touch; 3. Volumes of books, including the works of Sir William Fraser, some of which have remained in exactly the same position for 40 years; 4. A desk and leather chair which have been used by the Queen since at least the 1970s; 5. A ship in a bottle, believed to be of the Royal Yacht Britannia; 6. A wooden Newton's Cradle; 7. A mantelpiece filled with an antique gold clock and pair of running figure lamps; 8. An electric convention heater, of a type available for less than £20 on the high street; 9. Cushions in a crown motif fabric that was once used to cover the library sofa

Frozen in time: A photo of the Queen and Prince Philip inside the same library in 1977. While the layout of the room has changed, much of the furniture appears to have remained the same

The revealing picture was taken during a private audience between the Queen and the Governor General of Canada, Julie Payette. 

The women looked relaxed as they spent time chatting - but it is the background that is of much greater interest.

In the place of a roaring log fire this hearth at Balmoral is graced with an electric convection heater, of a type available for less than £20 from high street retailers.  

Similar heaters have been seen in other rooms inside the castle as far back 1992, proving how the Queen is keen to keep her housekeeping costs to a minimum. 

Upcycled: The cushion covers in the library today, left, are made from the same fabric as was previously used to cover the sofa in the room, right in 1977. The distinct pattern features uniformed servicemen, military flags, royal insignia and crowns

No-frills: In the place of a roaring log fire this hearth at Balmoral is graced with an electric convection heater, believed to be of a type available for less than £20 from high street retailers. Similar models have been used to heat Balmoral since at least 1992

Historical works: While the furniture in the library has been rearranged, some of the books on the custom-made shelves have seemingly remained in the same place over the last 40 years. Among these are Sir William Fraser's tomes on the history of the chiefs of the Grant clan, seen on the left-hand side of the bookshelf in 1977 (right) and in the same position today (left)

How tartan became the Queen's signature summer style

For most of the year, the Queen relies on a tried-and-tested wardrobe formula of bright dress-coat and hat ensembles.

But for her summer holidays in Balmoral, Her Majesty adopts a slightly more casual look. 

The monarch is often pictured in a blouse, cardigan, black shoes - and a tartan kilt-style skirt. 

From welcoming visitors to walking in the grounds, the Queen prefers to wear the skirts on most occasions during her stays on her Aberdeenshire estate, adopting different tartans. However she still wears more formal attire for church.

To meet Canadian Governor-General Julie Payette today, the Queen donned a red blouse, beige cardigan, and a tartan skirt that falls just below the knee. Even though she was inside the castle, the Queen also carried her go-to black leather handbag.

The monarch wore an almost identical outfit when she welcomed Sir Peter Cosgrove, the Governor-General of Australia, to Balmoral in August 2014. 

Tried and tested: The Queen in a red blouse, cardigan and tartan skirt today, left, and in an almost identical outfit in 2014, right

Summer style: The Queen, with David Cameron in 2013, changes the type of tartan she wears but often pairs the skirt with a blouse

Nearby sits a two-seater sofa and two individual armchairs, all covered in the same subdued green fabric and finished with traditional skirting. 

Their white, red and blue cushions appear to feature some sort of crown motif. The fabric was also used to cover a sofa that was previously placed in the same library.  

It is possible the Queen chose to recover the sofa but keep the cushions, or use the fabric to cover this set. 

Unlike other rooms in the castle which boast carpet in the Royal Tartan, this room has been laid with a much simpler green fabric. 

Marble mantelpiece with an antique gold clock in pride of place. On either side sits a pair of lamps that appear to be in the form of runners, carrying torches. Compared to other mantelpieces in Balmoral, this is relatively uncluttered 

Favourite shows: A Samsung television with a Sky box (remote pictured) means the Queen can watch her favourite shows

Trinkets: Above the desk there is a ship in a bottle, believed to be of the Royal Yacht Britannia, and a wooden Newton's Cradle

Lining the walls are custom-made fitted bookshelves in solid wood, housing hundreds of different volumes. 

A photograph of the Queen and Prince Philip in the library from 1977 reveals how some of the books have remained in the exact same place for the last 40 years.

While the layout of the room has changed significantly in the decades since the picture was taken, some of the furniture remains the same. 

The red leather desk chair seen in the 1977 photo is tucked in the corner of the image taken today, along with the leather-top desk used by the Queen.