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Craigowan Lodge, which is about a mile away from Balmoral Castle,
is quite up to the job of housing Royals having previously been
occupied by Prince Charles and Diana, then the Princess of Wales,
after their marriage in 1981. It is thought that The Queen’s stay
at Craigowan will allow staff at Balmoral to make the necessary
security arrangements after the tourists have departed.
Balmoral Castle has been a continuous home of the British Royal
Family since Prince Albert purchased it for Queen Victoria in 1852.
The foundation stone of the castle was laid by Victoria herself in
September 1853 and it was completed in 1856. When Queen Victoria
died in 1901, the Balmoral Estates passed to King Edward VII under
the terms of the late Queen’s will. Since that day it has been more
than a home to successive generations of The Royal Family.
Her Majesty is expected to spend two months at Balmoral, as is her
usual practice each summer, with The Duke of Edinburgh anticipated
to join her at a later date, owing to his engagements in Cornwall
and Cumbria. It is reported that The Queen’s temporary move to
Craigowan is not an unusual thing, with the ever growing need to
maximise tourist revenue to ensure the estate pays for itself.
Craigowan Lodge is a seven bedroom stone house about a mile away
from the main castle, and was often used as a retreat for Royal
couples soon after their wedding. The home is now used to house
important guests of Her Majesty The Queen or Prince Charles.
The Queen’s move to the main castle will also see the inspection of
the Royal Guard, a ceremony that usually marks the beginning of Her
Majesty’s stay at Balmoral.
One can only assume that it is just a slight inconvenience for Her
Majesty to stay at Craigowan while there are tourists roaming about
Balmoral Castle, but yet knowing the pleasure that these tourists
get out of seeing Her Majesty’s Scottish retreat, I am sure it is
not really an inconvenience at all.
It seems that it is a week for the Royals in Scotland as The Earl
and Countess of Strathearn along with Prince Harry, are attending a number of
sporting events at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
photo credit: Tinker Sailor Soldier Spy via photopin cc]]>
QUOTE–One can only assume that it is just a slight inconvenience for Her Majesty to stay at Craigowan while there are tourists roaming–UNQUOTE. Can you imagine, living in a sequence of buildings, each as large as a commercial hotel and all fully staffed? For someone who moves around constantly, this would just be part of routine. I wouldn’t favor having go drag my things from place to place all year long; and then having international travel besides. What a job. 🙂
Her Majesty is quite used to this schedule, and has been doing it since her accession. Royal staff have the changeover down to a science, and the things The Queen takes to Balmoral are methodically packed up and transferred each year, with the British Army helping with the heavy moving.
Her staff also take their annual holiday during this time, and have the option of taking either August or September off. Since HM is a bit more informal while on her Scottish break she only needs half her usual staff, which travels with her to Balmoral, Sandringham or Windsor Castle, depending where she is.
I envy her staff having this arrangement, since where I live (USA) most working people get only one or two weeks of paid vacation per year.
I agree with you Ricky. The schedule move each year /season is built into the royal schedule and her staff do have it down to a science–yes, indeed, they do.
I missed lot’s of friends… bird, cat, dogs, lovely pet.
Am I the only one who feels the Queen should have been at Westminster
Abbey. Our people died for King and Country and i feel passionately that
the Kings Granddaughter should have been there not the Duchess of
Cornwall who holds no status to do such an important symbolic act.
Her Majesty looks absolutely wonderful. I pray she lives a long and healthy life. Long enough to maintain dignity and integrity on the throne … Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge.