The Queen congratulates England

England's victory got the royal seal of approval © Getty Images

The Queen has sent her congratulations to the England cricket team for their “magnificent achievement” in reclaiming the Ashes.

In a message to captain Michael Vaughan, she said it had been a “wonderfully exciting and entertaining summer of cricket at its best”.

She described the npower Test Series, which England won 2-1 after a draw at The Brit Oval, as “truly memorable”.

The Queen watched the thrilling game unfold while on her annual holiday at Balmoral.

Patron of the MCC, she and the Duke of Edinburgh, who was a keen player as a youngster, regularly attend matches.

“My warmest congratulations to you, the England cricket team and all in the squad for the magnificent achievement of regaining the Ashes,” the Queen said.

“This has been a truly memorable series and both sides can take credit for giving us all such a wonderfully exciting and entertaining summer of cricket at its best.”