Royal Family Gathers at Balmoral Castle for Summer Retreat

King Charles and Queen Camilla have opened the doors of Balmoral Castle to their first guests, marking the beginning of their summer residence, as reported.

The monarch received a formal welcome at the castle on Monday, signaling the start of the royal family's annual retreat.

Among the initial visitors to Balmoral were the king's nieces, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

According to ITV News' Royal Editor Chris Ship, Princess Eugenie arrived at the Royal Residence in Aberdeenshire, Scotland on Tuesday, accompanied by her two-year-old son August and baby Ernest.

Princess Beatrice, along with her husband Eduardo Mappalimosi and their family, was also spotted at the castle.

Balmoral Castle holds special significance as it served as Queen Elizabeth's private vacation spot every August, where she cherished moments with her family.

For Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, this year's stay at Balmoral marks their first summer getaway in Scotland since the passing of their beloved grandmother.

It is anticipated that the princesses will be joined by their parents, the Duke of York and Sarah, the Duchess of York, during their time at the castle.

Reports suggest that the princesses were among the early arrivals at Balmoral, where King Charles is hosting an array of extended family members.

The vast expanse of the Balmoral estate, spanning 50,000 acres, offers ample space for the princesses and their young families to relish a tranquil and secluded break.

In the days to come, the Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied by their three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, are expected to join King Charles and Queen Camilla at Balmoral.

The official commencement of the wider family gathering at Balmoral signifies the beginning of a memorable stay at the castle for all involved.

Notably, Princess Eugenie's infant son, Ernest, will experience his first Balmoral retreat during this time.

Despite the full engagement of royal family members in this special gathering, a source from Buckingham Palace has disclosed that photos of the royal children will not be shared during their stay at Balmoral.

Particularly, King Charles has emphasized the need for privacy, refraining from releasing any special photos taken during this period.

The decision not to invite Meghan Markle, owing to privacy concerns, has garnered attention, especially considering her past actions of manipulating photos of others for personal gain.

This move by the King might be linked to the reported incidents involving Meghan's unauthorized use of images of royal children.

The absence of shared photos during this family event underscores the importance of privacy for the royal family, particularly in safeguarding intimate moments and memories.

The Sussexes' previous actions, such as releasing images of the Queen's cottage and potential misrepresentation of family members, have raised concerns within the royal circle.

The stress caused by such incidents, including the unauthorized portrayal of family members, could strain relationships within the family.

As the royal family gathers at Balmoral, the absence of Queen Elizabeth is deeply felt, yet King Charles has embraced the tradition by receiving a warm welcome at the castle gates earlier this week.