King Charles III and Queen Camilla recently hosted a serene concert at Balmoral Castle, marking another cherished moment during their annual summer retreat. Situated as it is at the head of the stunning valley carved by the River Dee, Balmoral doesn’t lack for views. Since 1852, it has been a royal residence since Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband, bought it. The estate, encompassing lush grouse moors, forestry, and farmland, offers the royal family a private sanctuary away from public scrutiny.
Traditionally, every August, the King and Queen host their family at Balmoral Castle. This provides a wonderful opportunity for all to unwind and step outside their royal obligations. This tradition enables them to enjoy the natural beauty of Scotland and partake in various leisurely activities such as hiking, bike riding, picnicking, barbecuing, and fishing.
“The whole royal family has a huge love of Scotland, and Balmoral is somewhere they can just be normal people for a while,” a source close to the royal family expressed, highlighting the significance of this retreat. The castle provides one of the few opportunities for the royals to escape their ceremonial responsibilities. Here, they can truly exhale into a less fraenzied existence.
And indeed, most importantly, Balmoral occupies the most tender and sensitive part of the British monarchy. Ailsa Anderson, Queen Elizabeth II’s last press secretary, recalled the regime of travelling with the late monarch to Balmoral. She looked back fondly on those unforgettable trips many times. She noted, “The Queen had a love affair with Balmoral from the time she was born, and it was a place where she could really be herself.”
King Charles III’s connection to Scotland deepened during the 2023 Honours of Scotland service held on July 5 at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh. At this ceremony, he received the symbols of his authority in Scotland—the Crown, the Sceptre, and the Sword of State. The event was attended by members of the royal family, including the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal.
Yet King Charles had returned to Balmoral only on August 18.
Further Activities
His first official engagements included inspecting the Balaklava Company of the 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, at the castle gates. His official welcome will be yet another milestone in his reign, as he fully absorbs the weight of the role and embraces being King.
This year’s retreat featured long-time friend and activist Peter Phillips and his fiancée, Harriet Sperling. They took their initial trip to Balmoral only a few weeks after their engagement was announced. Roaming musicians Their presence only increased the jubilant atmosphere as the royal family found themselves happily celebrating their time together.
