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Beloved Balmoral
Queen Elizabeth.Lichfield/Getty
Queen Elizabethhad the keys to many royal residences, but none quite so dear asBalmoral Castlein Aberdeenshire, Scotland, where she died peacefully Thursday.
One of two homes that she privately owned, the monarch was said to be in “sparkling form” when she entertained there for the first time in years since the pandemic began, a family friend said in the winter of 2021.
“It’s wherePrince Philipproposed and where she had her honeymoon. It’s a place bursting with memories,” the author ofElizabeth: The Queensaid. “In some ways it must have made her sad, but in many ways a great comfort.”
02of 09Royal RespiteQueen Elizabeth on Sept. 6, 2022 at Balmoral Castle.Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/GettyA second source echoed, “She’s a person of routine and rhythm. The year has a cycle, and getting back to that provides a structure, which is a good thing.“The Queen traditionally traveled to the 50,000 acre estate in late July, and ensconced there until October. There, she balanced work and play – reading diplomatic papers from the famous “red boxes,” delivered daily – with quality time with loved ones.Earlier this summer,Prince WilliamandKate MiddletonbroughtPrince George, 9,Princess Charlotte, 7, andPrince Louis, 4, to Balmoral to be with their great-grandmother.
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Royal Respite
Queen Elizabeth on Sept. 6, 2022 at Balmoral Castle.Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty
A second source echoed, “She’s a person of routine and rhythm. The year has a cycle, and getting back to that provides a structure, which is a good thing.”
The Queen traditionally traveled to the 50,000 acre estate in late July, and ensconced there until October. There, she balanced work and play – reading diplomatic papers from the famous “red boxes,” delivered daily – with quality time with loved ones.
Earlier this summer,Prince WilliamandKate MiddletonbroughtPrince George, 9,Princess Charlotte, 7, andPrince Louis, 4, to Balmoral to be with their great-grandmother.
03of 09A Treasured TraditionTopical Press Agency/GettyThe stunning Scottish hideway has been in the family since 1845 when Prince Albert purchased the castle and sweeping estate. In the centuries since, much of the traditional fun remains the same.“It was a life of picnics and paddling around,” Margaret Rhodes, the Queen’s late cousin, once said of the agenda.Here, then-Princess Elizabeth, age 9, rides between her grandfather King George V and grandmother Queen Mary back to Balmoral following a church service at Crathie Kirk.
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A Treasured Tradition
Topical Press Agency/Getty
The stunning Scottish hideway has been in the family since 1845 when Prince Albert purchased the castle and sweeping estate. In the centuries since, much of the traditional fun remains the same.
“It was a life of picnics and paddling around,” Margaret Rhodes, the Queen’s late cousin, once said of the agenda.
Here, then-Princess Elizabeth, age 9, rides between her grandfather King George V and grandmother Queen Mary back to Balmoral following a church service at Crathie Kirk.
04of 09Tender MemoriesFox Photos/Hulton Archive/GettyA decade later,Prince Philipwould propose to Elizabeth at the favorite family home.In the summer of 1946, the young prince spent several weeks at Balmoral, and reportedly proposed there. Elizabeth’s father King George VI agreed to the union, and the couple’s joy was palpable.“I am sure I do not deserve all the good things which have happened to me,” Philip wrote to his bride at the time. “To have been spared in the war and seen victory … to have fallen in love completely and unreservedly, makes all one’s personal and even the world’s troubles seem small and petty.”
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Tender Memories
Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty
A decade later,Prince Philipwould propose to Elizabeth at the favorite family home.
In the summer of 1946, the young prince spent several weeks at Balmoral, and reportedly proposed there. Elizabeth’s father King George VI agreed to the union, and the couple’s joy was palpable.
“I am sure I do not deserve all the good things which have happened to me,” Philip wrote to his bride at the time. “To have been spared in the war and seen victory … to have fallen in love completely and unreservedly, makes all one’s personal and even the world’s troubles seem small and petty.”
05of 09Don’t Forget About the DogsRoyal Family at Balmoral.Bettmann Archive/GettyNaturally, it wouldn’t be vacation without the whole family present – corgis anddorgisincluded!Balmoral’s expansive grounds are also home to managed herds of dear, Highland cattle and ponies.
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Don’t Forget About the Dogs
Royal Family at Balmoral.Bettmann Archive/Getty
Naturally, it wouldn’t be vacation without the whole family present – corgis anddorgisincluded!
Balmoral’s expansive grounds are also home to managed herds of dear, Highland cattle and ponies.
06of 09Family FunLichfield/GettyLike any busy mom on holiday, Queen Elizabeth rounded up her four children –Prince Charles,Princess Anne,Prince EdwardandPrince Andrew– for a family photo outside the castle.The classic snap was released as the family’s Christmas card in 1972.
06of 09
Family Fun
Lichfield/Getty
Like any busy mom on holiday, Queen Elizabeth rounded up her four children –Prince Charles,Princess Anne,Prince EdwardandPrince Andrew– for a family photo outside the castle.
The classic snap was released as the family’s Christmas card in 1972.
07of 09Simple DinnersPrince Philip grills with Princess Anne.Keystone Press/Alamy Stock PhotoGuests may expect formal banquets, but are often greeted with barbecues at Balmoral – like dad and daughter Philip and Anne cooked here in 1972.Watching the royals grill—and wash up afterward—was among the “surreal and freaky” aspects of visiting the Queen, former British prime minister Tony Blair would comment years later.
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Simple Dinners
Prince Philip grills with Princess Anne.Keystone Press/Alamy Stock Photo
Guests may expect formal banquets, but are often greeted with barbecues at Balmoral – like dad and daughter Philip and Anne cooked here in 1972.
Watching the royals grill—and wash up afterward—was among the “surreal and freaky” aspects of visiting the Queen, former British prime minister Tony Blair would comment years later.
08of 09The Next GenerationTim Graham/Getty ImagesContinuing tradition, the Queen’s children would all go on to bring their own families to Balmoral to relax and enjoy its natural splendor.Here, a tartan-clad Charles inspects something intriguing at Glen Muick with sonsPrince WilliamandPrince Harry.
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The Next Generation
Tim Graham/Getty Images
Continuing tradition, the Queen’s children would all go on to bring their own families to Balmoral to relax and enjoy its natural splendor.
Here, a tartan-clad Charles inspects something intriguing at Glen Muick with sonsPrince WilliamandPrince Harry.
09of 09So Much to ExploreSTEVE PARSONS/POOL/AFP via GettyThe horse-loving Queen was pictured riding at Balmoral well into her nineties, exploring the idyllic gardens and grounds from her preferred perch – the saddle.“I think Granny is the most happy there. I think she really, really loves the Highlands,” her granddaughterPrincess Eugeniewould say of the escape in the 2016 documentary,Our Queen at Ninety.
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So Much to Explore
STEVE PARSONS/POOL/AFP via Getty
The horse-loving Queen was pictured riding at Balmoral well into her nineties, exploring the idyllic gardens and grounds from her preferred perch – the saddle.
“I think Granny is the most happy there. I think she really, really loves the Highlands,” her granddaughterPrincess Eugeniewould say of the escape in the 2016 documentary,Our Queen at Ninety.
source: people.com
