The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to take their three children to Balmoral Castle this summer, continuing a cherished royal tradition of spending time in the Scottish Highlands during the school holidays.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are understood to be heading north in the coming weeks, joining senior members of the Royal Family at the late Queen Elizabeth II’s beloved estate in Aberdeenshire.
The trip is set to take place in the coming weeks, as Lambrook School in Berkshire break up for the summer holidays. The family’s visit is likely to coincide with that of other royal relatives, as the estate gradually becomes the focal point of royal life during the quieter summer months.
Balmoral has long been a place of sanctuary and retreat for the Royal Family. Queen Victoria famously described it as “my dear paradise in the Highlands” and the annual pilgrimage to the estate remains a deeply entrenched custom for her descendants. King Charles is expected to take up residence there in August, continuing the tradition established by his late mother.
While the Prince and Princess of Wales have not confirmed their summer plans, royal sources have suggested that the young Wales children will spend part of their school holiday exploring the sprawling countryside, enjoying picnics, pony rides and outdoor pursuits on the 50,000-acre estate.
The family is likely to split their time between Balmoral and their Windsor home of Adelaide Cottage. It will also be a time of reflection and private remembrance, as it approaches two years since Queen Elizabeth’s passing.
The King and Queen are expected to host a number of close family members at Balmoral over the coming weeks, though this summer may differ from previous years in its quieter tone. King Charles, who is undergoing cancer treatment, is expected to scale back some engagements and spend more time in the privacy of the Highlands.
Traditionally, members of the Royal Family join the monarch at Balmoral at staggered intervals throughout August. In years gone by, scenes of the Queen walking her corgis, or the Duke of Edinburgh manning the barbecue, became emblematic of royal life off-duty.
For the younger generation – particularly George, 11, Charlotte, 9, and Louis, 6 – Balmoral offers a rare chance to disconnect from public life and indulge in the simpler pleasures of country living.
With their parents keen to offer them as normal a childhood as possible, the summer at Balmoral is likely to include games, woodland walks, and cherished time with cousins and grandparents – in a place where tradition and tranquillity go hand in hand.
