King Hails Balmoral Estate as Sacred and Special Place

Monday, June 1, 2026

King Charles wrote the foreword to a new guidebook detailing the history and significance of the Balmoral Estate, a private royal residence in Scotland since 1852. The volume highlights the estate’s blend of tradition and change, underscoring its lasting importance to the Royal Family and its increased accessibility to the public.

King Charles has highlighted the Balmoral Estate’s enduring significance to the Royal Family in the foreword to a newly published guidebook. The 80-page volume provides a detailed look at the Scottish estate, which has been a private family retreat since its purchase in 1852 by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

In his foreword, King Charles described Balmoral as a “cherished home” for the Royal Family, noting its “startling individuality” and a “precious, almost sacred, surrounding landscape.” He reflected on the estate’s blend of change and continuity, calling it “a place where there is constant change, yet everything remains unaltered,” emphasizing the timeless quality that has long offered the family solace and inspiration. The King also paid tribute to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who particularly treasured Balmoral and chose to spend her final days there before her death in 2022 at age 96.

The guidebook, authored by historian Mary Miers, explores Balmoral’s history and evolving design, highlighting the imprint left by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, especially the Prince Consort’s strong influence on architecture, landscaping, and estate management. Since taking the throne, King Charles has introduced a number of changes to the estate, including replacing the ballroom lawn with an intricate maze. The wrought-iron gates in Queen Mary’s Garden were also remodelled in 2023 to commemorate both the centenary of their creation and the King’s coronation.

The estate covers approximately 50,000 acres in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and remains a private residence for the Royal Family. Balmoral’s unique combination of architectural variety and the surrounding “wild and majestic” Highland landscape has made it a place of both historical significance and personal meaning for the monarchy.

As the estate has become more accessible to the public in recent years, visitors can now better appreciate the rich complexities of its design and natural beauty. The guidebook aims to capture that sense of magic and connection to tradition, reflecting the layered history and ongoing stewardship that continue under King Charles’s care.