King Charles III is preparing to step away from his public duties for his annual summer retreat at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, as the royal family gets ready to spend the season at the historic estate.
The 50,000-acre Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire will close its grounds to visitors from August 10 to allow the royal family to begin their traditional summer stay. The estate is expected to reopen to the public in early October.
Visitors have been able to access the castle grounds, gardens, exhibitions, gift shop and restaurant during the current season, which runs until August 9. The public admission also includes access to the Castle Ballroom, where visitors can view the year’s exhibition, as well as selected walks around the estate.
Charles was recently seen in Scotland ahead of his annual break. Wearing a traditional tartan kilt, the King appeared in good spirits as he met members of the public in Dingwall in the Scottish Highlands.
A special royal retreat
Balmoral has been closely associated with the British royal family since Prince Albert purchased the estate for Queen Victoria in 1852. Nestled within the Cairngorms National Park, the Scottish residence has served as a private summer retreat for generations of royals.
King Charles has had a lifelong connection to Balmoral and has repeatedly spoken about the estate’s importance to his family.
Queen Elizabeth II spent her final days at Balmoral before her death on September 8, 2022. Following her passing, Charles reflected on the special place the estate held in his mother’s heart and in the wider royal family.
In the foreword to an official guidebook about Balmoral, the King described the estate as a place of lasting personal significance, highlighting its distinctive buildings, surrounding landscape and the sense of continuity it provides.
He also recalled how his late mother particularly treasured her time at Balmoral, noting that the estate was where she chose to spend her final days.
With the public access period ending on August 9, Balmoral will once again become a private royal retreat as Charles and other members of the family prepare for their traditional Scottish summer.
