Balmoral’s Royal Legacy

Balmoral Castle, situated in Aberdeenshire, was bought by Prince Albert in 1852 from the Farquharson family. Queen Victoria later described it as “my dear paradise in the highlands,” a sentiment shared by generations of royals.

King Charles usually spends late summer at the estate, choosing to stay at Birkhill, his private residence there, rather than the castle itself. He inherited Birkhill from the Queen Mother in 2002 and spent his honeymoon with Queen Camilla at the property in 2005.

Unlike many other royal properties, Balmoral is privately owned by the monarch and not part of the Crown Estate. It was famously beloved by Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away there on September 8, 2022.

The royal family’s Instagram account confirmed Charles’ arrival this week, noting that he had been “welcomed by a Guard of Honour.”

A Show of Support for Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson

In a move that drew attention, King Charles extended an invitation to Prince Andrew and his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, to stay at Balmoral this summer.

Reports suggest the pair will be accommodated at Carigowan Lodge, a seven-bedroom property within the estate. The timing is notable, coming just days after Andrew Lownie’s new biography Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York and the Channel 5 documentary Andrew & Fergie: The Duke and Duchess of Excess, both of which reignited controversy around Andrew.

“The Balmoral invitation is a huge show of support,” a royal insider told The Sun.

Their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, are also expected to visit with their families. Meanwhile, Prince William, Princess Kate, and their children, as well as Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, may join the gathering in the coming weeks.