Prince Harry’s first public steps - royal toddler makes first tentative public walk in Aberdeen

In March 1985, Princess Diana arrived with William and Harry for the latter's first public walk.

At just 18 months old, a young Prince Harry toddled into the car as the family made their way to Balmoral. It wasn't unusual for the People's Princess to head through the granite city, the closest airport to the royal family's Scottish home.

It was here that Harry would make one small step for a toddler, and one giant leap for royal kind.

His mother carried him carefully down the plane steps, before gently lowering his teeny tiny legs to the ground.

Clearly a young man in a hurry to get somewhere, Harry was a man on a mission - perhaps rushing to get to Balmoral and kick up his feet.

His brother William was perhaps more unsettled, being an older child and aware of the cameras. The future King gripped to the railings as he made his way down the steps, looking ever so slightly afraid.

Charles was already at Balmoral for the visit, having flown up earlier to carry out an engagement at Willowbank house in Aberdeen.

Balmoral Castle has been in the Royal Family since 1852, when the estate and it's original castle were purchased by Prince Albert - the husband of Queen Victoria. The Queen soon decided the structure was too small, and so the current Balmoral Castle was commissioned.

Designed by architect William Smith, the plans were amended by Prince Albert before its completion in 1856.

The purchase of a Scottish estate by Victoria and Albert, and their adaption of Scottish culture is said to be influential for the revival of Highland culture.

Balmoral was decorated with tartans, and the royals attended highland games at Braemar.

Historian Michael Lynch said in his book Scotland: A New History: "The Scottishness of Balmoral helped to give the monarchy a truly British dimension for the first time."

The significance of Balmoral to the Royal Family can be seen in what is known as the Balmoral Test.

Those who have been deemed worthy of an invitation to Balmoral will be analysed in their behaviour, social etiquette, royal protocol, and unspoken rules.

Princess Diana passed the Balmoral Test with flying colours, though reportedly wasn't so keen on future trips to the getaway castle.

She said in her book Diana: Her True Story - In her Own Words: "This myth about me hating Balmoral—I love Scotland, but just the atmosphere drains me to nothing."

"I go up 'strong Diana' I come away depleted of everything, because they just suck me dry, because I tune in to all their moods and, boy, are there some undercurrents there!

"Instead of having a holiday, it's the most stressful time of the year.

"It's very close quarters."

1986 was a year of firsts for the Royal Family, and on return from Balmoral a different kind of celebration was held back at Westminster Abbey.

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson married with a crowd of 1,800 guests, a marriage which lasted just six years.

Before long, Charles and Diana would embark upon a Royal Tour of the Middle East, stopping off in Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

The trip was hoped to ease Anglo-Saudi tensions, with a recent drinking scandal resulting in the expulsion of dozens of Brits from Saudi Arabia.

The situation came to a head when police raided a private birthday party composed of British nurses, in a country with strict laws against the consumption of alcohol.