20 iconic photos of the royals enjoying their summer holiday at Balmoral

Balmoral has been the residence of choice for senior members of the royal family over the summer months for many decades now, with the royal tradition beginning when Queen Victoria acquired the estate.

The late Queen Elizabeth II followed suit after visiting as a young Princess, a young mother and then as a monarch. The Scottish residence was also considered the late Queen's favourite, so it was even more poignant when she passed away at Balmoral in September 2022.

King Charles and Queen Camilla played host to their families at the Scottish residence for the first time last summer and are expected to do the same in the coming weeks.

In previous years, many other royals accompanied the late Queen and her late husband Prince Philip as they took breaks over the warmer months. Located in Royal Deeside in Aberdeenshire, the royal family has enjoyed fishing, long country walks, and the beautiful mountainous views it has to offer.

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Along the way, many fascinating and insightful photographs have been taken on the grounds of the estate of the Queen and her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and, of course, her beloved corgis. Take a look through these photos to see some of the best photos from the Scottish residence...

1/20

An official welcome

The King was formally welcomed to his Scottish residence last Monday, as he inspected a guard of honour and stood for the national anthem. He was also greeted by a Shetland pony Corporal Cruachan IV, who is the mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

2/20

Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Kate at church

In 2019, Prince William and Princess Kate, then the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, were pictured arriving at the Sunday church service in Balmoral with the Queen in August 2019. Kate, dressed in a dark green outfit, waved to the waiting photographers as she accompanied Her Majesty in the back of the car.

3/20

Balmoral garden party

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, then the Earl and Countess of Wessex, joined the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at a garden party at Balmoral Castle in 2012, with Prince Edward and Prince Philip both donning tartan kilts for the occasion.

4/20

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip relaxing

Duchess Sophie took this informal snap of the late Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh relaxing together as they enjoyed the scenery at the Coyles of Muick in 2003. The previously unseen snap was released by Buckingham Palace ahead of Prince Philip's funeral in April 2021.

5/20

New additions

In 2015, Prince William and Kate were pictured with the Queen and Prince Philip at Balmoral when Princess Charlotte was just a few months old. The photo was shared by William and Kate to pay tribute to the late Duke after his passing in April 2021.

6/20

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip with their great-grandchildren

A rare photo of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh with seven of their great-grandchildren was taken at Balmoral in 2018. The monarch is holding Prince Louis, who was just a few months old, with his siblings, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte, standing on either side of their great-grandmother. Peter Phillips' daughters Savannah and Isla are close to their great-grandfather and at the other end of the sofa are Zara and Mike Tindall's children Lena, held by her cousin Isla, and his daughter Mia.

7/20

Prince Charles, the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret

Balmoral has always been a residence that brings the royals together to spend quality time as a family. The idyllic and picturesque gardens have provided a wonderful place in particular for the royal children. Here, a young Prince Charles dips his hands into one of the fountains as his beloved grandmother, the Queen Mother, looks on with his aunt, Princess Margaret, who was then celebrating her 21st birthday.

8/20

The Queen and Prince Philip's growing family

The Queen and Prince Philip enjoyed spending time at Balmoral as a growing family over the years. In this picture, taken in 1960, the then family-of-five is gathered on a picnic blanket in the castle gardens with a young Prince Charles, Princess Anne, and a seven-month-old Prince Andrew.

9/20

The Queen and Philip take a trip to the farm

The Queen was a keen equestrian and rode horses even in her later years. It's no wonder, therefore, that when she holidays on the Scottish estate, a trip to the stables is always on the itinerary. This picture shows the Queen and Prince Philip's playful side as they visit a farm on the estate. The couple were that year (1972) celebrating their silver wedding anniversary.

10/20

The Queen with a young Prince Charles and Princess Anne

As a mother of two, Balmoral afforded the Queen a place to spend quality time with her young children. A picture from 1952, shows Her Majesty as a relaxed and caring mother, while a young Princess Anne and Prince Charles sit next to their mother in the gardens of the castle, with a watchful corgi taking place above them.

11/20

Inside the royal residence

As well as enjoying the great outdoors, the royals spend time in the many historic drawing rooms in the castle. Here, in this image from 1975, the Queen and Philip relax with newspapers and a corgi nestled by their feet.

12/20

Rare photo of Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, purchased Balmoral Castle in 1846 before it was redeveloped in the 1850s. The estate held a special place in Queen Victoria's heart and she often spent time there with her family, in particular after the death of Prince Albert in 1861. In this fascinating image from 1867, Queen Victoria stands outside the castle with her dog 'Sharp'.

13/20

Prince Philip with sons Prince Edward and Prince Andrew

Prince Philip is seen sharing a joke with his sons, Prince Edward and Prince Andrew, at an event in Balmoral, Scotland as guards and members of the public look on. The image was taken in 1983, and proves that Prince Harry was not the first royal to sport facial hair!

14/20

Young Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie attend Sunday service at Balmoral

As well as spending time together when they visit Balmoral, the royals attend church every Sunday as a family. This photograph shows young Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie in the car with their father, Prince Andrew, and grandparents, the Queen and Prince Philip, on their way to Sunday service at Crathie Church.

15/20

Prince Charles and Prince William

It's not just the Queen and her children who have been visiting the Scottish estate since they were children. Here, her young grandson Prince William climbs aboard the Queen's plane at Aberdeen airport after spending the summer there with his father, the Prince of Wales in 1984.

16/20

Royal honeymoon

In more recent years but before becoming monarchs, King Charles and Camilla paid regular visits to the Balmoral residence. In 2005, the newlyweds spent their first joint engagement as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay (as they were previously known in Scotland) there, and also enjoyed their honeymoon at the Scottish estate.

17/20

Scenic walks

As young Princes, William and Harry spent many summers in the picturesque Scottish estate with their father the Prince of Wales. In this photograph, taken in the summer of 1997, Prince Charles and his two sons enjoy a walk in Polvier, by the River Dee, with Prince Charles' Jack Russell dog, Tigga.

18/20

Precious family time

This picture of the late Queen was released in April 2023 to mark what would have been her 97th birthday. It shows the monarch at Balmoral surrounded by her grandchildren - Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex - and some of her great-grandchildren - Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Savannah and Isla Phillips, and Mia, Lena and Lucas Tindall.

19/20

Highland Games

The royals also often attended sporting events during the summer holidays at Balmoral. Here, the Queen, Prince Philip, and Prince Charles and Camilla laugh together while watching the Braemar Games Highland gathering, as their Balmoral team took part in a tug-of-war competition in 2006.

20/20

Diana, Princess of Wales, with a young Prince William and Prince Harry

Prince William and Prince Harry donned many a matching outfit as young children, and this trip to Balmoral in 1986 was no different. The young Princes disembark the Queen's plane at Aberdeen airport with their mother, the Princess of Wales.