Balmoral Castle Left Without Monarch as King Charles Breaks Tradition

For the first time in over a century, Balmoral Castle will be without a monarch in residence.

King Charles has chosen to depart from the long-standing tradition upheld by his late mother and will not be spending the summer at the historic castle.

The late queen, who would traditionally travel to the estate in Scotland's north at the end of each season, passed away there last September at the age of 96, leaving behind a poignant memory at Balmoral.

Reports indicate that King Charles and Queen Camilla have opted to make Birkhall their primary residence until the autumn, marking a significant shift as Balmoral remains devoid of a monarch physically residing there for the first time since the 19th century.

Instead of the customary Balmoral Castle, King Charles has chosen to spend the summer at Birkhall, diverging from his mother's established practice.

During the majority of the Covid-19 lockdown period, King Charles and Queen Camilla primarily resided at Birkhall, situated on the expansive 50,000-acre Balmoral estate, a place the king holds dear.

Having inherited the property following the passing of the queen mother in 2002, King Charles meticulously transformed it into a comfortable home for himself and his wife, Camilla.

While the royal couple will still visit the main castle for official engagements, including meetings with Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, they are anticipated to spend most of their time at Birkhall.

In August, alongside other members of the royal family, the king and queen are expected to host a series of visits at Balmoral Castle.

Contrary to his usual annual trip to the Castle of May, reports suggest that King Charles plans to commemorate the first anniversary of his accession to the throne at Balmoral this year.

Grant Harold, a former royal butler, predicts that the king will likely divide his time between Balmoral and his primary residence, expecting the visit to evoke strong emotions given the significance of the location where his mother spent her final days.

Reflecting on his mother's passing at Balmoral Castle, King Charles shared his sentiments with Spin Genie, acknowledging the emotional journey ahead as he navigates the familiar grounds where the late queen bid her final farewell.

With a mix of nostalgia and reverence for the location cherished by his mother, the king is poised to uphold his duties with fortitude, drawing strength from the close-knit relationships he shares with the staff at Balmoral.