What is Balmoral castle like?- Queen Elizabeth II was very fond of the British royal family’s Scottish vacation residence. Queen Elizabeth II had a custom of spending a portion of her summers here in the Scottish Highlands.
This year was no different as on September 8, 2022, the 96-year-old British monarch passed away at the cherished estate due to deteriorating health.
Where is Balmoral Castle?
It is situated in Aberdeenshire, Scotland in the United Kingdom. It’s close to Lochnagar Mountain and is along the River Dee. Approximately 500 miles and a nine-hour drive separate Balmoral Castle from Buckingham Palace.
Who owns Balmoral Castle in Scotland?
It was Queen Elizabeth II’s private residence, which she inherited from her family, unlike the Crown Estate, which owns official royal palaces like Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace and is supported by British taxpayers. The only other home she owns privately is Sandringham, which is based in Norfolk, England.
Now, as the Queen died, the castle is inherited by King Charles III.
Who purchased Balmoral castle for the royal family?
It was leased for the first time in 1848 and purchased in 1852. Prince Albert bought it for himself and his spouse, Queen Victoria. After the couple’s initial trip to Scotland, he bought Balmoral six years later. Since then, it has been handed down via the royal family.
Balmoral has been around since the 15th century, but over the years, it has undergone numerous alterations that have made it very different from how it was originally.
Who designed Balmoral castle?
It was decided that Balmoral, when Prince Albert bought it, was too small for the royal family. While a new one was being constructed, the prince, Queen Victoria, and their children resided in the castle. The original castle was destroyed in 1856 once the building was finished. John and William Smith, father and son architects, constructed the replacement (who were both Scots). It was divided into two portions, each of which was built from local granite and centred around a courtyard. Even today, a turreted clock tower is a striking architectural element.
