King Charles has written the foreword to a new guidebook about Balmoral, the Scottish estate that has been a cherished Royal Family summer retreat since 1852
King Charles has emphasised the significance of Balmoral to the Royal Family, declaring it occupies a “uniquely special place” in their affections. Situated in Aberdeenshire, the estate has belonged to the Royal Family since 1852 when Queen Victoria and her consort Prince Albert acquired it.
Penning the foreword for a new 80-page guidebook, the King characterises the Scottish estate as a “cherished home” for his family, boasting a “precious, almost sacred, surrounding landscape” alongside “startling individuality”.
More than a century ago, Queen Victoria became enchanted with the Scottish Highlands and chose to construct a castle on the property. Through the decades, Balmoral has served as a summer sanctuary for the Royal Family, with successive monarchs leaving their mark on the castle and grounds.
Balmoral also became the residence where the late Queen Elizabeth II spent her final days in 2022. Following 70 years as sovereign, Queen Elizabeth died on September 8, aged 96.
In the new paperback guide, Charles penned: “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.”, reports the Daily Record.
“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.”
Drawing to a close, he added: “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.”
Accompanying the foreword, the guidebook begins with a picture of a watercolour depicting the Scottish castle, which Charles painted in 1989.
Previously, the sole section of Balmoral accessible to visitors was the ballroom, which hosts a different exhibition annually.
Yet in July 2024, the King welcomed the public into the castle for the first time in 170 years and has remarkably implemented several alterations to both the gardens and interior spaces.
The Royal Family aren’t the only residents to have occupied the castle, as prime ministers are customarily invited to stay with the Firm at Balmoral throughout the summer months. Harold Wilson is said to have even joined family members for picnics by the river on the estate, as he “got on like a house on fire” with Queen Elizabeth II. The fresh guidebook, penned by journalist and historian Mary Miers and titled Balmoral, offers a glimpse into the recent modifications made to the estate. For example, the King has incorporated additional furniture, carpets, paintings and artefacts, many sourced from the Royal Collection, into the castle.
Externally, beyond the wrought-iron gates, Queen Mary’s garden underwent a revamp in 2023 to commemorate its centenary, with Charles and Camilla cyphers included to honour their coronation. It’s also highlighted that the King chose to replace the ballroom lawn with an elaborate maze, reflecting his fascination with geometric patterns.
Ms Miers stated: “Balmoral will forever be associated with Victoria and Albert’s love affair with the Highlands, but there’s so much more to the story, which I hope this guidebook reveals.
“Now that Balmoral is more publicly accessible, it’s possible to appreciate how central the Prince Consort’s interests in architecture, design, landscaping and estate management were to its creation, and how effectively the King, who shares these passions, has added a new layer of interest and style, while preserving and enhancing the original.”
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