The Earl and Countess of Wessex are flying home after a honeymoon in the north of Scotland.

The couple, who have spent the last nine days at the Queen's 50,000-acre Balmoral estate, left Aberdeen airport about 1500BST on their way back to London.

The Earl and Countess, previously Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones, smiled and looked relaxed after their break.

Despite tabloid newspaper speculation, they eschewed the lure of the Caribbean and spent their honeymoon at Birkhall Lodge on the secluded Highland estate.

Back to work for Earl and Countess of Wessex

They originally planned only a week-long holiday but decided to extend their honeymoon on Friday after temperatures soared in the north of Scotland.

They now returning to their new home at Bagshot Park, Surrey.

Back to work

The countess, who enjoyed a holiday in Italy with friends before the wedding, may return to her job in London's Mayfair later this week.

Nearly 14 million people watched the couple's wedding live on television.

It was not the first time a royal couple has chosen to honeymoon at Balmoral.

The Prince and the Princess of Wales holidayed at Craigowan Lodge on the Balmoral estate, as did the Princess Royal and her first husband Mark Phillips.