Balmoral Castle in Scotland - The Queen's Private Vacation Home

The Queen and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, traditionally spend August, September and part of October at Balmoral Castle in Balmoral Scotland. Who gets an invitation to join the Royal Party for this private vacation can lead to feverish speculation in the press as to who is in, who is out and who is about to be engaged, divorced, reconciled and so on.

Who gets an invitation to Balmoral and what does it mean?

Royal watchers in the media made much of the invitations to Balmoral Castle extended to Lady Diana Spencer, Sarah Ferguson and Camilla Parker Bowles before each of them became royal brides - Diana, Princess of Wales; The Duchess of York, Prince Andrew's bride; and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

In the summer of 2007, press speculation was once again rife about the meaning of Balmoral visits by Prince William's on again - off again girlfriend Kate Middleton.

Plan A Visit to Balmoral Castle
Stay on the Balmoral Estate
Walk the Balmoral Estate