Queen Elizabeth was once given washing up gloves in bizarre move by this Prime Minister

If there was one royal residence where the Royal Family are most allowed to be themselves, it is the Balmoral Estate in Scotland. Queen Elizabeth II, in particular, loved the freedom the castle provided, so much so that she did many of her own chores, and she once received the perfect gift to help her with them.

Today (4 May) marks 46 years since the late Queen invited Margaret Thatcher to form a Government in her name as she became the country's first female Prime Minister. The relationship between the two stateswomen was famously complicated and was one built on formality, rather than friendship.

However, that's not to say that there wasn't an opportunity for the odd joke.

Balmoral has often hosted many guests during the Royal Family's summer stay, including the serving Prime Minister, and this was no different for Margaret Thatcher.

During her 11 years in office, Thatcher made annual visits to the monarch's Scottish home, but famously didn't enjoy it and is even said to have described it as "purgatory". Her stays coincided with family barbecues and she was once reportedly left stunned when she saw the Queen doing the washing up. After she returned home she sent Her Majesty a very unusual gift.

Author Lady Colin Campbell explained on Secrets of the Royal Kitchens: "Once, when Mrs Thatcher was up at Balmoral, she noticed that the Queen was doing the washing up without gloves.

"So Mrs Thatcher went and bought her some rubber gloves and sent them to her, which is rather sweet."

While the late Queen surprised Ms Thatcher by deciding to do the washing up herself, the late Prince Philip also had a key role to play as the chef.

Before the Duke's death, former royal chef Des Sweeny said: "Prince Philip helps to choose the ingredients for the BBQ and the Queen makes the salad."

The late royal was pictured grilling sausages and cooking meat on a barbecue a number of times over the years. There was also another key difference when it came to barbecues in Balmoral, compared to all the others eaten by the Royal Family, as they served themselves.

Lady Colin Campbell added: "It's all served on fine china and nice silver but they do serve themselves."