King Charles: Balmoral Castle and Buckingham Palace are set to offer visitors a unique and unprecedented experience as they open their doors to previously unseen areas this summer.
Exciting news revealed this week indicates that both royal residences will be hosting ticketed tours, providing an opportunity for the public to explore hidden spaces that were previously inaccessible. Balmoral Castle, in particular, is generating considerable buzz, as it opens its doors to areas that have never been accessible since the castle’s completion in 1855, according to the castle’s official website.
Balmoral Castle holds great significance for the royal family, serving as their beloved summer retreat in the picturesque Scottish Highlands. However, it is also tinged with sadness, as it was in Balmoral that Prince William and Prince Harry were staying in August 1997 when they received the tragic news of their mother, Princess Diana’s, untimely passing in a car accident in Paris.
Furthermore, Queen Elizabeth, who once described Balmoral as the place where she was “most happy,” spent her final moments there before her passing in 2022. It was a place of great significance and fond memories for her and her family. Now, the public will have the opportunity to step inside the historic castle located in Aberdeenshire and experience its grandeur firsthand.
The Castle Internal Guided Tours promise a captivating “historical journey” through several exquisite rooms. Led by a private guide, visitors will have the opportunity to delve into the castle’s history, spanning from its acquisition by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1845 to gaining insights into how King Charles, Queen Camilla, and other members of the royal family currently utilize the space.
While guided tours around the grounds and gardens have been permitted in the past, access to the castle’s interior has been limited to the ballroom. Thus, the Castle Internal Guided Tours offer the most intimate and exclusive experience to date.
Scheduled to run from July 1 to August 4, these tours will accommodate a maximum of 10 people per session, ensuring a personalized and immersive encounter. Currently, general guided tours are priced at approximately $126 per person, while tickets that include afternoon tea are available for around $189. It is important to note that these tours are exclusively available for adults.
While demand for the internal Balmoral Castle tours has been high, there are still ample opportunities to explore Balmoral through the Balmoral General Admission package. This option allows visitors to admire an array of artwork by King Charles himself, along with a display of royal fashion.
The Ballroom, in particular, houses a remarkable collection featuring “His Majesty The King’s watercolor collection depicting scenery at Balmoral, Highgrove, and Sandringham,” as well as a selection of outfits worn by King Charles, Queen Camilla, the late Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
In addition to the exciting developments at Balmoral Castle, Buckingham Palace is also expanding its offerings to visitors this year. While Buckingham Palace has been a popular attraction since 1993 when Queen Elizabeth opened its gates as a fundraiser following the devastating fire at Windsor Castle in 1992, new areas of the iconic London residence will be accessible for the first time.
The East Wing, including the front façade and the renowned palace balcony where the royal family has gathered for momentous occasions since 1851, will be open to the public following five years of restoration work. This section of the palace holds great historical significance, having witnessed royal weddings, coronations, and the annual celebration of the monarch’s birthday, Trooping the Colour.
The Royal Collection Trust has confirmed that the royal family continues to utilize the East Wing for official meetings and events. Visitors can anticipate East Wing Highlights Tours, available daily in July and August starting from July 15, in addition to the standard admission to the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace. To accommodate the anticipated interest, the palace will be open seven days a week in July and August for the first time since 2019 before reverting to a five-day schedule in September.
It is worth noting that while Buckingham Palace is synonymous with the British monarchy and serves as the operational hub of the royal family, King Charles and Queen Camilla do not reside there. The palace is currently undergoing an extensive $460 million renovation, which is expected to be completed in 2027.
As King Charles welcomes the public into new areas this summer, speculations arise regarding potential future openings at Balmoral during his reign. In the book “Charles III. New King. New Court. The Inside Story 2024” by royal biographer Robert Hardman, he suggests that Balmoral, being a private property, could benefit from public footfall not only to support its maintenance but also to contribute to the wider community and align with other stately homes.
The upcoming tours at Balmoral Castle and Buckingham Palace offer an exciting opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the history, grandeur, and cultural heritage associated with the British royal family.
