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King Charles has shared poignant insights into why Queen Elizabeth spent her “final days” at Balmoral, a place of deep personal significance for the royal family. In a heartfelt foreword to a newly released guidebook about the estate, the 77-year-old monarch delves into the special connection his family has with the Scottish residence, a sanctuary cherished by the Queen, who passed away there in September 2022 at the age of 96.
Charles, reflecting on his own fond memories, emphasized Balmoral’s historical and emotional significance. He recounted its purchase in 1852 by Prince Albert, his great-great-great-grandfather, marking the beginning of a long-standing familial bond with the estate. The King described Balmoral’s unique architecture and captivating landscape as both ever-changing and timeless, offering a place of solace and rejuvenation.
King Charles has opened up about his family’s love of their Balmoral estate in Scotland
In his foreword, he eloquently expressed, “Balmoral, with its buildings of startling individuality, never fails to fascinate. It is surrounded by a landscape that feels almost sacred, providing a constant yet unaltered sense of timelessness that refreshes the soul.” Queen Elizabeth, he noted, particularly treasured her time at Balmoral, underscoring its enduring importance to the royal family and its role as a cherished retreat during her final days.
In the foreword, Charles wrote: “Balmoral has been the cherished Scottish home of my family since the estate was purchased by Prince Albert, my great-great-great-grandfather, in 1852.
“With its buildings of startling individuality, which never fail to fascinate, and its precious, almost sacred, surrounding landscape, it is a place where there is constant change, yet everything remains unaltered, with a sense of timelessness which refreshes the soul.
“Since my earliest childhood, it has held, and continues to hold, a uniquely special place in the hearts of my family and myself, and my late mother particularly treasured her time at Balmoral. It was here, in these most beloved of surroundings, that she chose to spend her final days.”
He went on to add: “Whatever the circumstances in which you are reading this book, I hope that you, too, will be inspired by the rich complexity of the architecture and share in the magic of the surrounding countryside, whose ‘wild and majestic’ landscape has been the source of inspiration and enjoyment for so many.”
The King’s foreword is published in the guidebook – written by Mary Miers and titled Balmoral – alongside a watercolour picture he painted of the castle back in 1989.
Balmoral has been mostly closed to the public in recent years with the exception of the ballroom which has been used to host art exhibitions.
However, King Charles opened the castle’s doors to visitors for the first time in 2024.
Visitors can now take guided tours of Balmoral’s interiors as well as exploring the rest of the estate and the gardens, which include two mazes Charles helped create and a conservatory built in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee.
Balmoral also now features a gift shop and a restaurant for visitors.
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