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  4. I visited Balmoral, where Queen Elizabeth spent her final days, after her death. I can see why she cherished this castle as a 'royal escape.'

I visited Balmoral, where Queen Elizabeth spent her final days, after her death. I can see why she cherished this castle as a 'royal escape.'

Mikhaila Friel   

I visited Balmoral, where Queen Elizabeth spent her final days, after her death. I can see why she cherished this castle as a 'royal escape.'
Mikhaila Friel visited Balmoral Castle to pay her respects to the late Queen Elizabeth.Mikhaila Friel/Insider Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
  • I joined the crowds of mourners at Balmoral Castle on Friday following the Queen's death.
  • Queen Elizabeth spent her final days at the castle before passing away on Thursday.

I joined the crowds of mourners at Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands on Friday following the sad news of the Queen's death.

I joined the crowds of mourners at Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands on Friday following the sad news of the Queen
Mikhaila Friel at the gates of Balmoral Castle on Friday.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully at Balmoral on Thursday, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson announced. She was aged 96 and had served as Queen for 70 years.

Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully at Balmoral on Thursday, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson announced. She was aged 96 and had served as Queen for 70 years.
Queen Elizabeth II on June 24, 2015.      Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Balmoral in Royal Deeside is the Queen's private residence, and she spent every summer there since she was a young child.

Balmoral in Royal Deeside is the Queen
A general view of Balmoral Castle, which is one of the residences of the Royal family, and where Queen Elizabeth II traditionally spent the summer months.      Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images

Unlike Buckingham Palace, Royal Deeside is extremely remote and is known for its natural scenery, including the River Dee and the Cairngorm mountains.

Unlike Buckingham Palace, Royal Deeside is extremely remote and is known for its natural scenery, including the River Dee and the Cairngorm mountains.
The natural scenery close to Royal Deeside.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The roads leading to Balmoral were closed on Friday, so I went to the closest village, Ballater, where free bus services were running every 15 minutes for those who wanted to leave floral tributes.

The roads leading to Balmoral were closed on Friday, so I went to the closest village, Ballater, where free bus services were running every 15 minutes for those who wanted to leave floral tributes.
The bus taking people from Ballater to Balmoral Castle on Friday.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

There was a list of items that the public weren't allowed to bring to Balmoral, and an employee told me that only flowers would be accepted at the gates.

There was a list of items that the public weren
A sign showing prohibited items on the bus to Balmoral Castle.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

It was around a 15-minute drive to the castle. The entrance was surrounded by police officers and members of the press.

It was around a 15-minute drive to the castle. The entrance was surrounded by police officers and members of the press.
Police officers, the press, and members of the public walk to Balmoral Castle.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The castle was around a two-minute walk from where the bus was parked. I joined crowds of mourners who walked over a bridge that looked onto the River Dee before arriving at the gates.

The castle was around a two-minute walk from where the bus was parked. I joined crowds of mourners who walked over a bridge that looked onto the River Dee before arriving at the gates.
The River Dee.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I arrived just before 11 a.m. While the gates were closed and guarded by a police officer, the public were still welcome to stand at the entrance and pay their respects.

I arrived just before 11 a.m. While the gates were closed and guarded by a police officer, the public were still welcome to stand at the entrance and pay their respects.
Flower tributes for Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

There weren't as many people as I had expected, but I assumed this was likely due to how remote Balmoral is. The Queen's estate isn't close to any major cities, and i takes around two hours and 30 minutes to drive from Scotland's capital, Edinburgh.

There weren
People gathered at the gates of Balmoral Castle to pay tribute to the Queen.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

This is part of the reason why the Queen loved it, according to Alicia Healey, a former royal employee. Healey told The Spectator that Balmoral offered an "escape from the royal bubble."

This is part of the reason why the Queen loved it, according to Alicia Healey, a former royal employee. Healey told The Spectator that Balmoral offered an "escape from the royal bubble."
Queen Elizabeth II at the writing desk in her study in Balmoral Castle, Scotland, 1972.      Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Some people wore black mourning clothes, while others were visibly tearful as they took in the tributes.

Some people wore black mourning clothes, while others were visibly tearful as they took in the tributes.
One person dressed in black mourning clothes posed for a photo beside the tributes.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

People left gifts such as teddy bears and balloons, despite being told that they were prohibited.

People left gifts such as teddy bears and balloons, despite being told that they were prohibited.
Teddy bears and balloons were also left at the gates.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I spoke to several people who traveled from different parts of the country to pay their respects. "She's given everything to this country," one person said, adding that King Charles will likely lead the country in a similar way to his late mother.

I spoke to several people who traveled from different parts of the country to pay their respects. "She
Members of the public look at tributes to the Queen at Balmoral.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Another person said they made the one-hour, 40-minute journey from Dundee to Balmoral because they wanted to "be close to the royal family" during this sad time.

Another person said they made the one-hour, 40-minute journey from Dundee to Balmoral because they wanted to "be close to the royal family" during this sad time.
The UK public gathered outside Balmroal Castle on Friday.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

After looking at the tributes, I headed back to Ballater. The Victorian village has a population of around 1,140, and is known for its cosy cafes, restaurants, and outdoor activities such as climbing.

After looking at the tributes, I headed back to Ballater. The Victorian village has a population of around 1,140, and is known for its cosy cafes, restaurants, and outdoor activities such as climbing.
The village of Ballater in Royal Deeside.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Queen Elizabeth frequently visited Ballater, and the royal family often go to the village for their shopping while staying at Balmoral, according to Scotland Info Guide.

Queen Elizabeth frequently visited Ballater, and the royal family often go to the village for their shopping while staying at Balmoral, according to Scotland Info Guide.
Queen Elizabeth II during an inspection of the Balaklava Company, 5 Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland at the gates at Balmoral on August 9, 2021 in Ballater, Aberdeenshire.      Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images

In 2016, she met with local residents and those who helped with the relief efforts after flooding in the area.

 

The residents of Ballater clearly adored Her Majesty. On Friday morning people had left flowers outside different locations near the local church.

The residents of Ballater clearly adored Her Majesty. On Friday morning people had left flowers outside different locations near the local church.
Flowers were left for Her Majesty The Queen in Ballater, Scotland.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Local shops paid tribute to Her Majesty by displaying her photos in their windows.

Local shops paid tribute to Her Majesty by displaying her photos in their windows.
Photos of the Queen at in the window of a hardware store in Ballater.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The local bookshop, A.B. Yule, had a Queen Elizabeth themed book display in the window.

The local bookshop, A.B. Yule, had a Queen Elizabeth themed book display in the window.
The local bookshop made a Queen Elizabeth themed window display.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I spoke to the shop keeper, who said people love Ballater because "it's real air here" and because it has lots of castles.

I spoke to the shop keeper, who said people love Ballater because "it
The local bookstore in Ballater.      Mikhaila Frie/Insider

The shop keeper said that his store had been extremely busy following the news, and that all the newspapers had sold out. Luckily, I found a few copies that were left at a nearby grocery store.

The shop keeper said that his store had been extremely busy following the news, and that all the newspapers had sold out. Luckily, I found a few copies that were left at a nearby grocery store.
Newspapers with the news of Queen Elizabeth's death.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Later in the afternoon, the lines of people waiting to get on the bus to Balmoral grew longer.

Later in the afternoon, the lines of people waiting to get on the bus to Balmoral grew longer.
The line for the bus to Balmoral.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The more time I spent in Ballater, the more I understood why the Queen loved it here. The picturesque buildings and beautiful scenery made it feel like a world of its own.

The more time I spent in Ballater, the more I understood why the Queen loved it here. The picturesque buildings and beautiful scenery made it feel like a world of its own.
The church in Ballater.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I can only imagine how the quiet streets and idyllic countryside would have been a stark difference to living in Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle.

I can only imagine how the quiet streets and idyllic countryside would have been a stark difference to living in Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle.
The streets of Ballater were quiet on Friday morning.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I'm glad I got to pay my respects to the Queen at Balmoral, and to see why she adored the surrounding area so much. It truly was a royal escape.

I
Mikhaila Friel visited the royal family's Balmoral estate on Friday upon the news of Queen Elizabeth's death.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

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