King Charles III has offered a deeply personal insight into the final chapter of Queen Elizabeth II’s life, describing Balmoral as a place that held a uniquely special place in her heart and explaining why she chose to spend her last days there.
The King’s reflections appear in the foreword to a newly published guidebook dedicated to the royal family’s Scottish estate, where the late Queen died peacefully on 8 September 2022 at the age of 96.
In his contribution to the publication, Charles speaks of Balmoral not simply as a royal residence but as a cherished family home that has provided generations of his family with refuge, inspiration and continuity.
The monarch writes that Balmoral’s distinctive architecture and remarkable Highland setting have long captivated members of the Royal Family, describing the estate’s surroundings as a “precious, almost sacred” landscape.
He also recalls the estate’s significance in his own life, saying it has occupied a special place in his family’s affections since his earliest childhood.
His Majesty pays particular tribute to Queen Elizabeth II’s connection with the estate, noting that she treasured her time there more than anywhere else. Reflecting on her final days, he writes that Balmoral was the place she chose to spend her last moments, surrounded by the scenery she loved most.
For many people, Balmoral became synonymous with the end of a historic reign. Yet for the Royal Family, the Aberdeenshire estate has long represented something far more personal. Away from official duties and public engagements, it served as a retreat where monarchs and their families could enjoy a more private life amid the Highlands.
The estate’s royal story stretches back to 1852, when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert purchased Balmoral after becoming enchanted by Scotland. Their vision transformed the property into one of the monarchy’s most treasured residences, a legacy that successive generations have continued to shape.
The guidebook also highlights how King Charles has begun to leave his own mark on the estate. Since ascending the throne, he has overseen a number of changes while seeking to preserve Balmoral’s historic character.
One of the most significant developments came in 2024 when visitors were granted access to parts of the castle previously closed to the public for more than 170 years. The move offered an unprecedented glimpse inside one of the Royal Family’s most private homes.
Elsewhere on the estate, alterations have included the creation of an intricate maze inspired by geometric designs and the restoration of historic wrought-iron gates in Queen Mary’s Garden. The updated gates incorporate the cyphers of the King and Queen Camilla, marking both their coronation and the centenary of the original structures.
Within the castle itself, additional works of art, furniture and decorative objects from the Royal Collection have been introduced, alongside new furnishings designed to complement the building’s historic interiors.
The publication opens with one of the King’s own watercolour paintings of Balmoral, completed in 1989, underlining a personal connection to the estate that spans decades.
Author and historian Mary Miers argues that the changes reflect a continuation of the approach first established by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. While Balmoral will always be associated with the Victorian royal couple’s love of the Highlands, she suggests the King has successfully added a new chapter to the estate’s history while respecting its origins.
In concluding his foreword, Charles expresses the hope that visitors will experience something of the same inspiration that Balmoral has provided to generations of his family, praising the “wild and majestic” landscape that continues to define one of the monarchy’s most beloved homes.
