Mark Owens/ UK MOD © Crown copyright 2023
King Charles III has arrived at Balmoral Castle on for the beginning of his annual summer stay in Scotland.
The King, who recently named himself Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, succeeding the late Queen Elizabeth II in the role, inspected a Guard of Honour composed of the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland outside Balmoral’s gates.
He also met The Royal Regiment of Scotland’s mascot, a Shetland pony named Corporal Cruachan IV; and listened as the Pipes and Drums of 4 SCOTS performed.
The Royal Family has long been associated with Balmoral Castle, with it being the location of their annual summer break. Prince Albert purchased the property in 1845 and it has remained a personal property of the Sovereign since Queen Victoria’s time.
The late Queen Elizabeth II would spend weeks in August and September there on holiday, with other members travelling up to visit while she was there.
This marks King Charles III’s first time hosting the summer holidays at Balmoral. Guests are never announced in advance, they are usually only discerned if photographed on the way to church nearby or if they’re spotted at airports or train stations on the trek up to the Scottish Highlands.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla will mark the first anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth II privately at Balmoral Castle. Her Late Majesty passed away at Balmoral on 8 September 2022.
There will be no public ceremony to mark the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death, but the Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to conduct a public engagement on the day in her memory.
