Balmoral: the beloved summer home of generations

The King and Queen will be spending their summer at Balmoral Castle with their annual stay on the estate in Aberdeenshire coming after a busy time. Balmoral has bee a royal home for over 150 years.

What do the royals do when they are on holiday at Balmoral? 

The Balmoral estate is a private property, meaning that it belongs to The King personally and is not a working royal home like Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace. Prince Albert purchased the property in 1852; for several generations now, it has been a beloved summer residence for the monarch and their family. 

King Charles and Queen Camilla will be joined by different members of the Royal Family over August, as several family groups will spend a few days there at different times. 

The King enjoys walking throughout the estate, and has on occasion been spotted by locals while out on a wander.  The Royal Family enjoys outdoor activities including fishing and horse riding. They also attend social gatherings with close friends and family members on the estate. Additionally, the royals enjoy traditional Highland Games.

Picnics have long been a favourite activity for the royals while at Balmoral. When Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were playing the host, Her Late Majesty would handle the dishes while Prince Philip would barbecue on a specially modified grill. 

At the end of the summer, the Monarch typically hosts the Ghillies Ball, an annual party held for the castle staff, ground staff, and locals to enjoy. 

Political meetings at Balmoral

In addition to many family outings, the King and Queen will also usually host the Prime Minister and their partner for a few days. 

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It’s expected that King Charles may well be at Balmoral on September 8th, the anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth II and of his own accession.