Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at Balmoral Castle. Photo: CENTRAL PRESS/AFP.
A year later: What Balmoral Castle meant to Queen Elizabeth II
Take a look at the deeper meaning behind Queen Elizabeth II’s place of death – Balmoral Castle located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at Balmoral Castle. Photo: CENTRAL PRESS/AFP.
It’s been a year since the then-Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II passed away “peacefully” at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on 8 September. Take a look at the deeper meaning behind Scottish the castle had to the late British monarch.
ALSO READ: Prince Harry fuels feud with David and Victoria Beckham?
BALMORAL CASTLE: QUEEN ELIZABETH II’S PLACE OF DEATH
On 8 September 2022, Buckingham Palace announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The monarch was said to have passed away “peacefully” at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow,” read the statement.
All the Queen’s children – King Charles, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Princess Anne — travelled to Balmoral near Aberdeen. This was after doctors placed the monarch under medical supervision.
According to a report by Daily Mail at the time, the Queen died with King Charles and Princess Anne at her bedside.
Prince William travelled with Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie via private jet from Berkshire to see the Queen, but it is understood that they did not reach her estate before she passed away. Prince Harry was said to be on his way at the time of the Queen’s death. His wife, Meghan Markle was not with him.
ALSO READ: Princess Diana’s audio tapes: King Charles ‘disappointed’ by Harry
WHAT DID BALMORAL CASTLE MEAN TO HER MAJESTY?
Balmoral Castle was purchased by Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. The castle has therefore been one of the residences of the British royal family since 1852. The castle was the private property of the Queen and not part of the Crown Estate. This was the place where the Queen indulged in horse riding and more.
According to Metro, one of the Queen’s granddaughters, Princess Eugenie, said in the documentary Our Queen at Ninety:
“I think Granny is the most happy there. I think she really, really loves the Highlands.”
Balmoral is also known to be the place where the queen entertained – she had friends and family over. The castle is also the place where the Queen and her late husband, Prince Philip indulge in their love for picnics.
Page Six reported that Balmoral offered the Queen a sense of normality. Her majesty is said to have been able to play card games or stand in line at local shops. It is also the place that the royal family, including Prince William and Prince Harry, learnt of their mother Princess Diana’s death on 31 August 1997.
The royal family used Balmoral Castle as their summer home with the Queen staying there from August until October almost every year of her life.
ALSO READ: Meghan Markle could become ‘more popular’ than Princess Kate
