Queen Elizabeth II spent the final days of her life at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, a place that held a special place in her heart and was associated with some of her happiest family memories. Located in the Scottish Highlands, the sprawling 53,000-acre royal estate served as a private summer retreat for generations of the British royal family. It was also where the longest-reigning British monarch breathed her last on September 8, 2022, having chosen to spend her final days at a place she deeply loved. Away from the demands of royal engagements and public appearances, Balmoral offered the Queen an opportunity to enjoy a quieter life. Every August, the royal family would retreat to the Scottish estate, spending time away from the public eye. Their days often involved entertaining friends, attending dances, fishing, picnicking in the countryside and going on shooting parties.
Queen Elizabeth's affection for Balmoral was no secret. In the 2016 documentary ‘Our Queen at Ninety’, her granddaughter Princess Eugenie spoke about how much the monarch loved spending time at the Scottish estate. “I think Granny is the most happy there. I think she really, really loves the Highlands,” Princess Eugenie said. The late Sir Malcolm Ross, former Comptroller of the Royal Household, also spoke about the peaceful surroundings that made Balmoral so special to the Queen. In an interview with the BBC, he said, “It’s the wide open spaces. No distractions, no aeroplanes, no noise, no traffic. Just this lovely estate where she can freely roam everywhere.” He further explained that the estate allowed the monarch to relax with her dogs and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. “She can relax, with her dogs, just doing what she thought normal people did, and indeed what normal people do,” he said.
Balmoral has served as a summer retreat for the British royal family for more than 170 years. The estate was purchased by Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, in 1852. Initially spanning around 17,000 acres, the property has since expanded to more than 53,000 acres. According to the castle and estate's official website, Balmoral encompasses vast stretches of moorland and heath, towering hills and rare, protected woodland habitats. The property also includes the immediate surroundings of the castle, with landscaped lawns, gardens, native plant species, mazes and a nine-hole golf course. For Queen Elizabeth, the estate was much more than a royal residence. She enjoyed spending time outdoors, riding horses and walking her dogs across the expansive grounds. Speaking about the freedom the Scottish Highlands offered, she once said, as quoted on Balmoral's website, “You can go out for miles and never see anybody; there are endless possibilities.”
The Queen's relaxed approach to life at Balmoral was also reflected in her interactions with visitors. Former royal protection officer Richard Griffin, popularly known as Dick, once recalled an amusing encounter with two American tourists during a walk around the estate. According to Reuters, one of the tourists recognised that the elderly woman walking alongside Griffin bore a striking resemblance to Queen Elizabeth. The tourist then asked the monarch whether she had ever met the Queen. Griffin recalled that the monarch responded instantly with a sense of humour, saying, “I haven’t, but Dick here meets her regularly.” The tourists subsequently asked for a photograph, and Queen Elizabeth happily obliged by taking a picture of them with Griffin. The incident offered a glimpse into the monarch's playful side and her ability to enjoy ordinary moments away from royal protocol.
Although Balmoral allowed Queen Elizabeth to enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle, her time at the estate was not entirely free of official responsibilities. She continued to carry out her royal duties, reading diplomatic papers that were delivered to her daily in the familiar red boxes. The Queen also welcomed foreign dignitaries and British politicians to the Scottish Highlands. The British prime minister traditionally visited her at Balmoral once a year, making the estate an important setting for official meetings despite its reputation as a private family retreat.
Queen Elizabeth's emotional connection with Balmoral remained strong until the end of her life. In a speech to the Scottish Parliament in 2024, King Charles spoke about his mother's attachment to the estate and revealed that she had chosen to spend her final days there. “My late mother especially treasured the time spent at Balmoral, and it was there, in the most beloved of places, where she chose to spend her final days,” the King said. However, Princess Anne later revealed that the Queen had once expressed concerns about the possibility of dying at Balmoral, as it could complicate arrangements following her death. In the documentary ‘Charles III: The Coronation Year’, Princess Anne recalled, “I think there was a moment when she felt it would be more difficult if she died at Balmoral. I think we did try to persuade her that that shouldn’t be part of the decision-making process. So I hope she felt that was right in the end, because we did.” Queen Elizabeth eventually breathed her last at Balmoral on September 8, 2022, bringing to a close a remarkable chapter in British royal history at a place that had been particularly close to her heart.
Balmoral is now the private property of King Charles, and the royal family continues to spend part of the late summer at the Scottish estate. However, the property also welcomes members of the public during designated periods of the year. Visitors can explore parts of the grounds, stroll through the gardens, view exhibitions and enjoy the surrounding countryside. The estate also offers holiday cottages for those looking to experience a stay in the Scottish Highlands. For Queen Elizabeth, Balmoral was never just another royal residence. It was a place where she could step away from the responsibilities of the Crown, spend time with her family, enjoy nature and experience the simple pleasures of life. It was fitting that the monarch chose to spend her final days at the Scottish retreat that had brought her so much happiness throughout her life.
