King Charles Says Balmoral Was Queen’s ‘Final Days’ Choice
King Charles has offered a personal reflection on Queen Elizabeth II’s final days, writing that Balmoral remained a treasured refuge for his late mother until the end of her life. The King’s comments appear in the foreword to a new official guidebook about the royal family’s Scottish estate, where the Queen died on 8 September 2022 aged 96.
In the foreword, Hello Magazine reported that the King wrote: “My late mother particularly treasured her time at Balmoral… It was here, in these most beloved of surroundings, that she chose to spend her final days.”
King Charles also described Balmoral as a long-held family sanctuary since the estate was bought by Prince Albert in 1852, calling its surrounding landscape “precious” and “almost sacred” and saying it offers “a sense of timelessness which refreshes the soul.” He added that his own connection to the estate stretches back to early childhood.
The guidebook, titled Balmoral, is written by journalist and historian Ms Mary Miers and features one of the King’s watercolours of the castle, painted in 1989. It also details changes made since his accession, including alterations to the grounds and interiors, and notes that the castle’s interior was opened to the public for the first time in more than 170 years in July 2024.
The King’s latest remarks underline Balmoral’s continuing significance to the monarchy, framing the estate not only as a historic royal residence but as a private family home closely associated with the Queen’s final chapter.
