Balmoral Castle: Everything You Need to Know About Where the Queen Spent Her Final Days

It was a tradition for Queen Elizabeth II to spend part of her summer at Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands. This year was no different, and, with her health declining, the 96-year-old British monarch ended up taking her last breath at the beloved property on September 8, 2022.

Her family, including her son Charles (now officially King Charles III) and grandson Prince William, traveled to Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, to be by her side in her final days at the castle, which was long said to have been her favorite.

So what is interesting about the Queen’s former summer home? Below, we break down what exactly a design buff needs to know about the vacation palace—from its history and architecture to its interiors and surrounding grounds. Queen Elizabeth II did a good job of keeping the extravagant dwelling private, but there are a few interesting design details that have slipped out over the years. (It also served as the setting of an especially memorable episode in Season 4 of The Crown, aptly titled “The Balmoral Test.”) 

Where exactly is it?

Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It’s on the River Dee and not far from the Lochnagar Mountain. Balmoral Castle is roughly 500 miles from Buckingham Palace, a nine-hour drive.

Who owns it?

Though official royal residences like Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace are owned by the Crown Estate—which is funded by British taxpayers—Balmoral was Elizabeth’s personal property, inherited through her family. Her only other privately owned residence is Sandringham, located in Norfolk, England.

How long has the British royal family had it? 

It was first rented in 1848 and was bought in 1852. It was purchased by Prince Albert for himself and his wife, Queen Victoria. He acquired Balmoral six years after the couple first visited Scotland. It’s been passed down through the royal family ever since. 

Balmoral has technically been around since the 15th century, but several additions and renovations over the years have transformed the home into something far from the original version.

What’s important to know about its architecture?

Its style is considered to be Scottish baronial and Gothic revival. When Prince Albert purchased Balmoral, it was decided that it was too small for the royal family. The prince, Queen Victoria, and their children lived in the castle while a new one was being built. After the project was completed—in 1856—the original castle was demolished. The replacement was built by father-son architects John and William Smith (who were both Scots). It was constructed out of local granite and organized into two sections, each of which revolves around a courtyard space. A turreted clocktower remains an eye-catching feature to this day. 

Prince Albert was deeply involved in the design process. He was also responsible for a series of smaller additions to the property, such as the main farmhouse. After the prince’s 1861 death, Queen Victoria had a series of cottages built on the property which are still in use. She built the Garden Cottage for her children, Baile-na-Coille for her servant, and Karim Cottage for her Indian secretary. In 2019, Prince William, Kate, and their kids reportedly stayed in a three-bedroom cottage on the estate called Tam-na-Ghar during a visit.