Nicolai Haugsted
The king reflects on his mother’s final days in emotional letter.
Few places carry as much personal history for Britain’s royal family as Balmoral.
Nestled in the Scottish Highlands and surrounded by rolling hills, forests and rivers, the estate has served as a retreat for generations of monarchs. Now, King Charles is offering a rare glimpse into why the property remains so important to the family, while also sharing heartfelt reflections on Queen Elizabeth II’s final chapter.
His thoughts appear in a newly released guidebook dedicated to the historic estate.
A Place That Shaped Generations
Balmoral has been linked to the royal family since Queen Victoria and Prince Albert purchased the estate in the mid-19th century after falling in love with the Highlands.
For Charles, the connection runs far deeper than history.
Writing in the book’s foreword, the King describes the property as a treasured family home that has remained close to his heart since childhood.
“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,” the king wrote according to Express.
His comments offer one of the most personal glimpses yet into the significance the estate holds behind palace walls.
Remembering the Queen
Balmoral became part of modern royal history in September 2022 when Queen Elizabeth II died there at the age of 96 after seven decades on the throne.
Charles addressed that moment directly in the guidebook.
“It was here, in these most beloved of surroundings, that she chose to spend her final days.”
Beyond the brief reflection, the King writes about the estate’s unique atmosphere, describing it as a place where change and continuity exist side by side.
Charles Leaves His Own Mark
Recent years have seen the monarch quietly reshape parts of the property.
Public visitors gained unprecedented access to the castle in 2024 when Charles opened sections of Balmoral that had remained off-limits for more than 170 years.
Guidebook details several additions made under his stewardship, including redesigned gardens, updated interiors and a maze inspired by geometric patterns — an interest the King has long been known to enjoy.
Furniture, artwork and decorative pieces from the Royal Collection have also been brought into the castle, adding fresh layers to a residence already steeped in royal tradition.
More Than a Summer Retreat
Politicians, prime ministers and world leaders have long passed through Balmoral’s gates, but the estate has always remained something more personal than political.
Historian and journalist Mary Miers, who wrote the guidebook, argues that Balmoral tells a much broader story than its association with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
According to Miers, Charles has managed to preserve the spirit of the estate while adding his own character to it, continuing a tradition that stretches back more than 170 years.
For visitors now able to explore more of the castle than ever before, Balmoral offers something rarely seen in royal life: a glimpse of the place many monarchs considered home rather than office.
