Alicia Healey

Why the Queen loved Balmoral

The Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew in the grounds of Balmoral Castle in 1960 (Credit: Getty Images)

Balmoral, where Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed away yesterday afternoon, was one of her favourite places to be. Queen Elizabeth inherited Queen Victoria’s love of the castle, and its surrounding estate, spending up to two months at her Highland retreat every summer throughout her long reign, with childhood visits before that. 

I had the good fortune of spending five long summers at Balmoral as a former employee of the Queen, so find it easy to understand why Her Majesty loved this special area of Scotland so much. I have travelled to many countries since I left the royal household 12 years ago, but I have never seen a place as beautiful as Balmoral.

Past prime ministers have been delightfully surprised at the informality of these unstaffed barbecues which the Queen and Prince Philip hosted

The castle – set in 50,000 acres of beautiful Scottish countryside, 500 miles from the bright lights and long lenses of London – offered the Queen a rare thing: an escape from the royal bubble. It was a summer sanctuary where she could relax and unwind largely away from the public gaze. At Balmoral she could experience the ‘freedom and peace’ Queen Victoria spoke of in her Highland journals.

Queen Elizabeth spent her days there walking her beloved corgis, riding her ponies and picnicking with family, friends and guests. Past prime ministers have been delightfully surprised at the informality of these unstaffed barbecues which the Queen and Prince Philip hosted at various picnic cottages on the estate. Margaret Thatcher was horrified at the sight of her Queen doing the dishes. Tony Blair reported his shock at seeing the Queen clear and stack plates herself after lunch. Theresa May shared an anecdote in the Commons today of the time she dropped some cheese at one of these picnics.

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