The Queen has officially begun her annual stay at Balmoral Castle this week following a change in arrival that saw the traditional welcoming ceremony held behind closed doors for the first time.
The Queen traditionally inspects a guard of honour from the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland at a ceremony outside the castle gates while pipers play and the public welcomes her for her annual stay, however this all happened behind closed doors to maximise The Queenβs comfort.
A source closed to The Queen reportedly told royal rota members, βThis is a change in line with events being adapted for Her Majesty’s comfort,β according to a Sky News report.
The Queen traditionally travels up to Balmoral towards the end of July, having departed this year on 21 July, and staying at the Craigowan Lodge on the estate while the main castle is still open to the public.
Once Balmoral closes to visitors, The Queen moves in and spends the month of August and part of September there before returning back to England and Windsor Castle to carry out her fall slate of duties.
It is expected that The Queen may return briefly to London when the new Prime Minister is chosen. Her Majesty is expected to travel to Buckingham Palace to receive outgoing Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, before meeting his successor and asking them to form a government. That’s set to take place in early September.
Throughout the month of August, the Royal Family are set to travel up to Balmoral to visit The Queen. Guest lists are never published, but typically photos of the family travelling to church or driving and walking on the estate are published.
Balmoral Castle has been an integral location for the Royal Family since Prince Albert purchased the property in 1852. He then commissioned a modern residence to be rebuilt from the property he purchased and the estate has been the Royal Familyβs summer vacation residence since then.
Balmoral Castle is considered The Queenβs private property and is not a part of the Crown Estate.
