The Prince and Princess of Wales have begun their annual summer holiday in Scotland with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, enjoying one last carefree family break before a major milestone changes life for their eldest son.
This year’s visit to Balmoral is expected to be especially meaningful, as 13-year-old George prepares to leave home for Eton College later this year.
Although the prestigious Berkshire school is close to the family’s Windsor home, his move to boarding school marks the beginning of a new chapter for the future King.
For Prince William and Princess, the annual retreat to Balmoral has become one of the most cherished traditions on the royal calendar.
The late Queen Elizabeth II adored the Scottish estate, and her love of the Highlands has been passed down through generations of the Royal Family.
As in previous years, King Charles and Queen Camilla are expected to welcome close family members, including the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal, to the estate. But Andrew is again not expected to join the gathering.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams believes the trip holds special significance for every member of the Wales family.
He said William will remember the joyful summers he spent at Balmoral as a child, while Catherine has embraced the estate’s peaceful surroundings and outdoor lifestyle.
George, meanwhile, is said to enjoy the simple pleasures of long walks, fishing trips and family picnics across the vast grounds.
Catherine has often spoken about the comfort she found in nature during her recovery from cancer, describing the natural world as a place of healing and calm.
Barbecues, picnics, countryside walks and even wild swimming have all been linked to the family’s summers at the estate.
“It’s a place with special memories and where the Royal Family can have privacy,” Fitzwilliams said.
Balmoral has also witnessed some of the monarchy’s most defining moments.
It was there that Prince William learned of Princess Diana’s death in August 1997, and it was also where Queen Elizabeth II spent her final days before passing away on September 8, 2022.
“Of course, Balmoral will forever be associated with the late Queen, who died there,” Fitzwilliams said.
“It was fitting because she loved the estate and was so fond of Scotland. It was her escape.”
2026-07-30 01:24:00
