Sir Keir Starmer is following in the footsteps of his predecessors as UK prime minister by visiting Balmoral, the Queen’s Scottish castle. This long-held tradition sees the monarch host the sitting prime minister and their spouse for a few days towards the end of summer. The working estate includes forests, farmland, and grouse moors, as well as herds of deer, Highland cattle, and ponies.
Balmoral has been the Queen’s Scottish retreat since the 19th Century and hosted a number of prime ministers, including Theresa May, Baroness Thatcher, and Liz Truss, whom the Queen appointed as her 15th and final prime minister two days before her death in 2022. During her reign, the castle became a representation of the Queen’s love of Scotland, and its rolling hills and scenic locales are beloved by royalty and visitors alike.
Famous tales of Balmoral include a story by Mrs. May of a picnic when she was prime minister, where she dropped some cheese on the floor and hoped no one saw. The Queen was watching, and Mrs. May recalled looking at her with trepidation, only to be greeted with a knowing smile.
Despite the tradition’s unbroken history and continued popularity, there are very few details available about Sir Keir Starmer’s visit to Balmoral. Some speculate this visit will take place towards the end of August, shortly before MPs are due to return from their summer recess. Upon their return, the king and the prime minister will meet weekly to discuss government matters. Although the king is politically neutral, he can “advise and warn” his ministers, including the prime minister, when needed, according to the Royal Family’s official website.
Balmoral is far more than just a place for the monarch and politicians to relax; it serves both as a picture-inspiring location as well as a prime location for conservationists and naturalists to protect Scotland’s beautiful landscapes
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