The King of England, Charles III, recently gave a speech to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament. During his remarks, he took a moment to reflect on his mother’s final days and the special connection that the royal family has to Scotland. Specifically, he noted that his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, had a special love for Balmoral Castle in Royal Deeside, where she spent many summers throughout her life.
Despite concerns that it may be logistically difficult for others if she were to pass away at Balmoral, the King suggested that his mother “chose” to spend her final days there in 2022. He emphasized that the estate had a special place in the hearts of his family and himself, and that his grandmother had been proudly Scottish.
Balmoral has been one of the royal family’s residences since 1852, when Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband, purchased the estate and its original castle. The current Balmoral Castle was commissioned after the original house was deemed too small. The estate is privately owned by the Queen and is not part of the Crown Estate.
In November 2020, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary at Balmoral. The late Queen also spent much of her husband’s final years with him on the estate, where they stayed together during the Covid-19 lockdown. Princess Anne has noted that her mother had expressed concerns about dying at Balmoral, feeling that it would cause problems for others. However, the family ultimately respected her wishes to spend her final days in the place she loved most.
Overall, Balmoral holds a special place in the hearts of the royal family, and Scotland as a whole. It is a place where they have spent many happy summers and celebrated countless milestones together. The King’s reflections on his mother’s final days serve as a reminder of the deep emotional ties that can be forged between individuals and the places they love most
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