The Prince and Princess of Wales have a special plan for Prince George and their family before their eldest son starts at Eton College in September. It will allow the family to relax in private before George, 13, starts the new school year in secondary education.
Family Stay at Balmoral
The Prince and Princess of Wales are set to visit Balmoral, in Scotland, for a short stay while King Charles is in residence this summer. The sweeping 500-acre estate, located in the Cairngorms National Park, serves as the Royal Family's main private Scottish holiday retreat, with the King spending parts of August and September there every year. He regularly welcomes members of his family, with William and Catherine set to spend time at the estate before George starts at the £63,000-a-year Eton College.
Royal Expert's Insight
Jennie Bond, who worked as the BBC's royal correspondent for 14 years, told the Mirror: "The summer stay up there has always been a time primarily for William, Catherine and the rest of the family to gather in the peace of the Scottish countryside after the busyness and noise of their working lives in London and elsewhere."
She said the estate's rolling mountains, quiet rivers, tidy gardens and open moorland serve as the perfect spot for the family to recharge their batteries. It's a "breathe, relax and be still" destination where the young family can "walk and romp, play games and ride, and fish and shoot".
Jennie added: "During this break, I’m sure Catherine will want to make an extra fuss of George as he prepares for the big change in his life, setting off to Eton where he will become a full-time boarder in September."
Balmoral's Special Meaning
According to the royal expert, William and Catherine used Balmoral as an escape during their time at the University of St Andrews. They reportedly told friends that they shared some of their happiest moments at the estate.
Jennie continued: “The Balmoral holiday is an important tradition for the family when quite a lot of them can spend time together away from work, away from the cameras and very seriously off-duty. Generation after generation seems to have fallen under the spell of the castle and its grounds.
"Prince Harry called it paradise; others have described it as magical. It will always be a very special place because of the memories it holds of the late Queen, who adored her fairytale castle and, in the end, died peacefully there."
It’s also a magical place for the children – especially the Wendy house at the bottom of the garden at Birkhall. It’s incredibly cute with a thatched roof made of heather and bark-covered walls. It looks as if a garden gnome or fairy might live there.
Historic Royal Retreat
Balmoral has been used as a sanctuary by the Royal Family for decades, with the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip choosing to spend part of their honeymoon at the Birkhall hunting lodge on the estate in 1947. King Charles and Princess Diana also spent part of their honeymoon at Balmoral in 1981.
The vast estate also offers royal children a rare freedom. From the late Queen to Prince George, Balmoral has been used as a playground for hide-and-seek, pony riding, fishing and woodland exploring. However, it has also been the location of more sombre milestones, including being the place where Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully on September 8, 2022. Prince William and Prince Harry also received the news of their mother's death while staying on the estate in August 1997.
