12 of the royal family's best moments at their Scottish holiday home Balmoral Castle
The royal family stand for a photo outside Balmoral Castle.PA Images via Getty Images
- The Queen and Prince Philip have started their vacation at Balmoral Castle, the royal family's summer residence in the Scottish Highlands.
- This year's vacation will be slightly different — according to the Mail Online, a "Balmoral bubble" has been created with a few of Her Majesty's staff members.
- The Queen's favorite sporting event, the Braemar Gathering, also won't take place this year.
- However, there will be plenty to do within the 50,000 acre Balmoral estate, which is located on the banks of the River Dee.
- Here are 12 of the royal family's best moments at Balmoral from over the years.
Queen Elizabeth, the Duke of Edinburgh, and their children have spent plenty of time vacationing at Balmoral, one of the only properties owned by the family and not the Crown. Here they are preparing for a picnic in front of the castle during the summer of 1960.
Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Edinburgh, and their children at Balmoral Castle.
Keystone/Getty Images
As the Queen's children, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Prince Andrew grew up, they took many official family photos on the grounds.
The royal family and their pet dog at Balmoral.
PA Images/ Getty Images
They enjoyed plenty of candid moments too. In this photo, the Queen plays with a 4-year-old Prince Charles.
The Queen and Prince Charles in 1952.
Lisa Sheridan/Studio Lisa/Getty Images
Her Majesty wasn't afraid to break royal etiquette to help her daughter, Princess Anne, climb through the window of the ancient residence.
Queen Elizabeth II, right, shown playing with her two children, Prince Charles, left, and Princess Anne, climbing, at Balmoral Castle the Royal Residence on the River Dee.
Associated Press
Balmoral is where Princess Diana and Prince Charles enjoyed their honeymoon during the summer of 1981.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana pictured on their honeymoon in 1981.
Bob Thomas/Popperfoto/Getty Images
The Prince of Wales and Diana broke protocol to show PDA in this adorable photo from their visit.
The newlyweds.
Anwar Hussein/ WireImage/ Getty Images
The holiday retreat is an ideal place to bring children. Charles often took his sons, Princes William and Harry, to play on the banks of the River Dee ...
Charles, William, and Harry at the Balmoral estate in April 1987.
Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images
... and continued to do so as the boys grew older.
Charles with William and Harry at Balmoral in 1997.
Tim Graham/ Getty Images.
Charles and Camilla — known in Scotland as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay — spent their honeymoon at the estate. This photo shows the couple taking some time away from their romantic getaway to open a local children's playground, their first official engagement as a married couple.
Charles and Camilla in 2005.
Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images
Kate Middleton has also vacationed at Balmoral through the years, and often joins the Queen to attend Crathie Kirk Church. Every monarch since Queen Victoria has worshipped there.
Kate Middleton and the Queen on their way to church.
Duncan McGlynn/Getty Images
A major part of the Queen's summer vacation involves a front-row seat at the Braemar Gathering, an annual sporting event that won't be held this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Prince Philip, the Queen, and Prince Charles at the 2017 Braemar Gathering.
Chris Jackson/ Getty Images.
There are still plenty of activities the Queen and Prince Philip will be able to do from within the Balmoral grounds. Here they are at the estate's farm in 1972, the year of their silver wedding anniversary.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at the Balmoral farm.
Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
READ MORE ARTICLES ON
Popular Right Now
Advertisement