Balmoral's Silent Guardian: Queen Elizabeth II's 'Presence' Still Felt by Royals at Scottish Estate 2 Years After Her Monumental Passing
Queen Elizabeth II died nearly two years ago at Balmoral Castle, and her 'presence' is said to still by felt by her successors while at the Scottish estate.
The late Queen Elizabeth II, who died on September 8, 2022, left a huge void in the hearts of royal enthusiasts, but it is reported that her family can still feel her "presence" when staying at Balmoral Castle. The estate was long reported to be Her late Majesty's favorite, as she became the first British monarch to pass away there nearly two years ago.
"This year at Balmoral [is particularly poignant], because it’s two years into being king, two years since his mother died, Balmoral is a very poignant place, because time stands still and our dear Queen casts a long shadow over everything and especially for the family, and especially Balmoral because she was a larger than life presence that filled Balmoral castle," former royal butler Grant Harrold revealed on behalf of Slingo.
Apart from her love for her family, and respect for her son and successor, King Charles III's plans for the Crown, the monarch would likely not be on board with Balmoral Castle opening its doors to the public.
"The Queen liked a bit of mystery with certain things, and that wing is private," he added. "It had offices and bedrooms for staff and the room had a lot of personal meaning to it, which is why she wanted it to remain private. The late Queen was also fierce about the privacy of Balmoral."
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert purchased the estate in 1852. Enamored with the Scottish Highlands, they commissioned the construction of a new castle to replace the original, deemed too small. Completed in 1856, the new Balmoral Castle was designed in the Scottish Baronial style, reflecting the romanticism of the Victorian era.
The castle's interiors were glimpsed briefly throughout Elizabeth II's record-breaking reign, but never in full detail — however, King Charles wishes to change that.
The span of 70.5 years as the castle's chief resident no doubt has Elizabeth II's family feeling an immense void in her eternal absence from within its shrouded walls. However, with the King's recent decision to open the castle to the public, Her late Majesty would likely not approve.
"I bet they see her around every corner," Harrold observed. "I bet they remember the things that she did. They'll remember everything that she did within the castle because she loved Balmoral. But now it's open to the public. Her last bastion has gone, and now every royal residence really is open to the public."
He poignantly concluded, "The Queen resisted and resisted all her life and said, no, it's the only corner I have left. That's mine. But now that's gone, and we've moved on to another generation. It's time that moves on, but the places stand still."
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