October 24th 2024.
The King's Balmoral estate, a lavish royal residence in Aberdeenshire, may soon be opening its doors to the public for 'royal' weddings. Plans have been submitted to allow the Queen's Building on the estate to be used for weddings, dinners, meetings, and other events throughout the year. This is a rare opportunity as the private Scottish home is usually reserved for the royal family's summer retreat and has been passed down through generations since it was bought by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, in 1852.
In September 2022, Queen Elizabeth II passed away at Balmoral, making the estate even more special and significant to the royal family. In fact, it has been reported that the castle was a favorite of the late Queen. It's no wonder that there is a growing interest in the castle and its grounds, which is why Prince Charles opened it up for public tours this year. The demand was so high that tickets for the guided tours, priced at £100 or £150 with afternoon tea, sold out within 24 hours. This allowed 40 people per day to visit the royal residence from July 1 to August 4.
But the real question on everyone's mind is, will couples soon be able to hold their big day at this famous royal residence? The plans for Balmoral estate include revamping the Queen's Building with a new reception area and expanding the outdoor patio to accommodate up to 277 guests inside and 144 guests outside. Events can also involve live performances and dancing, with alcohol being served until 12:30 am. The estate has argued that certain conditions on the outdoor area, such as no amplified music, are not necessary as the area is a pleasant space for dining and located within the private property.
For those wondering about the location of Balmoral castle, it is situated in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, near the Scottish highlands. The castle has a rich history, originally built during the fifteenth century and later purchased by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1852. Queen Victoria spent more and more time at Balmoral, especially after the passing of her husband who had a passion for building the new castle. After her death, ownership of the estate passed to King Edward VII, who only stayed there for a few weeks each year. However, this changed when King George V took the throne, and he regularly visited the castle following World War I. His successor, King George VI, also enjoyed the castle with his wife, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, and the couple spent extended periods of time there.
Balmoral holds a special place in the hearts of the royal family, especially Queen Elizabeth II, who first visited the estate with her husband, Prince Philip, in 1952. The Duke of Edinburgh even had his own vegetable garden on the grounds. It was also where the royal family was when they received the news of Princess Diana's passing in 1997. They stayed there to mourn privately before returning to London. This makes the possibility of having a wedding at Balmoral even more meaningful and memorable.
Unfortunately, Balmoral is currently not open for weddings. However, with the plans in motion, that could soon change. As for visiting the estate, it was open to the public for a little over a month this summer, from July 1 to August 4. Tickets for the tours, which included access to the grounds and gardens, were priced at £100, with an option for afternoon tea for £150. The estate is usually open for free between April 1 and May 3, but during the summer season, visitors must purchase tickets to access the grounds and gardens until August 11 when the royal family typically arrives for their summer break. So, for now, the public can still enjoy the beauty of Balmoral from a distance, but hopefully, in the near future, they will be able to celebrate their own special occasions at this magnificent royal residence.
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