King Charles has opted out of the traditional royal family holiday at Balmoral Castle this year, choosing instead to stay at Birkhall, a private residence on the Balmoral estate. The monarch is said to favour the seclusion of Birkhall, where he can tend to his gardens and gather his thoughts.
The King, accompanied by Queen Camilla, is reportedly recharging after a busy week in London, where he received cancer treatment. He also recently visited the families of three girls killed at a Taylor Swift tribute event in Southport.
According to a source cited by The Daily Beast, Charles met briefly with other royals at Balmoral before retreating to Birkhall. The source noted: “The king is sleeping a lot. He is not one to sit around doing nothing, so relaxing for him takes the form of reading, writing, painting, and gardening. He has always loved throwing on his wellies and getting out in the garden, that’s his happy place.”
Birkhall, gifted to Charles by the late Queen Elizabeth II, was previously the retreat of the Queen Mother. It holds special significance for the King, who retreated there after his mother’s death and hosted Prince William for dinner without family tensions.
Charles is expected to remain at Birkhall before embarking on a royal tour to Oceania in October.
