Balmoral Castle has announced it is now closed to the public for the rest of the summer ahead of the Royal Family’s summer holiday. The castle, which is visited by thousands of people every year, is famously known for being the place where the royals retreat to for their annual summer holiday.
Royal Family Gathers at Balmoral
Hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla, members of the family gather and stay at the castle together, enjoying quality family time. This tends to include hikes, bike rides, barbecues and picnics. Among the royals who usually go there for the summer are Prince William, Princess Catherine, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Official Closure Announcement
In a public message on August 9, Balmoral Castle’s social media team wrote: “Balmoral Castle, including the grounds, gardens and exhibitions, is now closed to the public.
“Thank you to everyone who visited the Castle and Estate during the 2026 summer season. We hope you enjoyed your time at Balmoral and left with lasting memories of your visit.
“Until next time, keep an eye on our social media channels for updates, including the return of the Balmoral Castle Exclusively Highlands Artisan Market on 6, 7 and 8 November.”
King Charles Begins Summer Break
The King has already started his summer break in Scotland, staying at the Castle of Mey. It is not known when he will move on to Balmoral, where he will then enjoy a restful few weeks. It is likely he will be joined by various other royals throughout his stay.
It is believed all members of the Royal Family enjoy spending time at Balmoral, which is believed to be one of the only places where monarchs get to truly relax. The late Queen Elizabeth II used to thoroughly enjoy her summer breaks at the castle, alongside her husband Prince Philip. The late Queen even spent the last few weeks of her life at Balmoral, passing away at the castle in September 2022.
