King Charles Opens Up About Queen Elizabeth’s Final Days in Emotional Tribute
The King also offered rare insights into Balmoral Castle's lasting importance to the Royal Family.
Over the years, King Charles has frequently spoken with deep admiration and love for his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, often expressing appreciation for her sense of duty, wisdom, and dedication to the nation. Recently, he again opened up about his late mother as he shared how meaningful Balmoral has been to him and the royal family, particularly as a place that held special importance for Elizabeth during her final days. These heartfelt words by the King appear in a new guidebook that is dedicated to the beautiful Scottish estate.
In the foreword, Charles referred to the massive property and wrote, “Balmoral has been the cherished Scottish home of my family since the estate was purchased by Prince Albert, my great-great-great-grandfather, in 1852.” He then went on to add, “With its buildings of startling individuality, which never fail to fascinate, and its precious, almost sacred, surrounding landscape, it is a place where there is constant change, yet everything remains unaltered, with a sense of timelessness which refreshes the soul.”
Moving ahead, the King stated, “Since my earliest childhood, it [Balmoral] has held, and continues to hold, a uniquely special place in the hearts of my family and myself, and my late mother particularly treasured her time at Balmoral. It was here, in these most beloved of surroundings, that she chose to spend her final days.” Elizabeth passed away peacefully at the estate on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96. Charles further wrote, “Whatever the circumstances in which you are reading this book, I hope that you, too, will be inspired by the rich complexity of the architecture and share in the magic of the surrounding countryside, whose ‘wild and majestic’ landscape has been the source of inspiration and enjoyment for so many.”
It’s worth noting that the massive property became part of royal history in 1852 when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought the estate, after they fell in love with the Scottish Highlands. They later built the castle, which soon turned into a favorite getaway for the Royal Family. Over the decades, different kings and queens made their own changes to Balmoral Castle and its surrounding areas, making it an even more special place for generations to come.
Meanwhile, unlike any other official residences owned by the monarchy, Balmoral is privately owned and does not belong to the Crown Estate. The property was passed down to Elizabeth from her father, King George VI, and following her death in 2022, the ownership transferred to her son, Charles. However, when it comes to Charles’s two sons, it currently remains uncertain who will eventually inherit the estate. As reported by InStyle, in January 2026, reports suggested that the King offered Prince Harry and Meghan Markle an opportunity to spend time at Balmoral Castle, despite the ongoing tensions between father and son.
