Skip Nav
Love It. Save Your Favorites Now.
16 Intriguing Facts About the Queen's Scottish Residence, Balmoral Castle

Balmoral Castle's History and Facts

16 Intriguing Facts About the Queen's Scottish Residence, Balmoral Castle

Balmoral Castle's History and Facts
Image Source: Getty / Tim Graham Photo Library

Balmoral Castle is a key location throughout The Crown, and it's even the setting of one of the buzziest episodes of the latest season, simply called "The Balmoral Test" after the secret and unspoken "tests" that the royals apparently put visitors through to see if they measure up. You probably know by now just how beloved a royal residence Balmoral is, but how much do you really know about the Scottish castle and its history with the royals? We're breaking down some of the most important things to know about Balmoral, from which royal first bought the estate to when commoners like us can get a view of the property — keep reading for over a dozen fun facts about the castle!

Balmoral's History

Balmoral's History
Image Source: Getty / W. & D. Downey
  • Balmoral has been in the royal family for over 150 years. Prince Albert bought it for his wife, Queen Victoria, in 1852, after they fell in love with the Scottish Highlands on a trip a few years earlier.
  • The couple leased the property for four years, starting in 1848, before purchasing it.
  • After buying the property, the royal family determined that the current castle wasn't large enough, so Prince Albert oversaw the construction of an entirely new castle, which remains to this day.
1 / 5

Balmoral and the Queen

Balmoral and the Queen
Image Source: Getty / Lisa Sheridan
  • Balmoral Castle is passed down through generations of the royal family, so Queen Elizabeth II is the current owner. This separates it from most other royal residences, which are owned by the Crown and are technically public or government property.
  • The queen and her family traditionally spend several weeks at Balmoral near the end of summer every year.
  • Because of this schedule, the royals were at Balmoral in August 1997 when Princess Diana died, which contributed to the public outcry over their apparent slow response.
  • Although the queen would never express such an opinion publicly, Balmoral is popularly understood to be her favourite residence — something which her own family members have alluded to at times. "I think Granny is the most happy there. I think she really, really loves the Highlands," Princess Eugenie revealed in the documentary Our Queen at Ninety.
2 / 5

Balmoral's Location

Balmoral's Location
Image Source: Getty / Tim Graham Photo Library
  • The estate is located in the Scottish countryside, about 50 miles from Aberdeen, and spans approximately 50,000 acres.
  • The current castle sits about 100 yards away from where the original castle stood. Although the original building was demolished, its former location is marked by a commemorative stone.
3 / 5

Balmoral Traditions

Balmoral Traditions
Image Source: Getty / Chris Jackson
  • Ever since the reign of Queen Victoria and the royal acquisition of Balmoral, it's become expected that each successive monarch spend time working to improve the estate.
  • Yes, the "Balmoral Test" is a real thing, although not something explicitly talked about, according to Andrew Morton's famous biography of Princess Diana. "Those who successfully navigate the social minefield, popularly known as the Balmoral Test, are accepted by the royal family. The ones who fail vanish from royal favour as quickly as the Highland mists come and go," Morton wrote.
  • Outdoor activities are the name of the game at Balmoral: The Crown accurately depicts traditions of hunting, deer stalking, hiking, and so on.
4 / 5

Fun Facts About Balmoral

Fun Facts About Balmoral
Image Source: Getty / Jane Barlow/PA Images
  • Although it's been in the royal family for generations, the queen's parents were the first to really take a strong interest in the estate since Queen Victoria's reign.
  • The residence is one of only two privately owned royal residences; the other is Sandringham House.
  • Because these two houses are privately owned, after the abdication of Edward VIII, a new financial settlement had to be made in order to pass them to his brother, the new George VI, while the former king was still alive.
  • During certain times of year, Balmoral is open to the public. Guided tours are available, usually from around April through July.
5 / 5
Yes, You're Going to Love "Renegade Nell"
TV Reviews
"Renegade Nell" Is the Unlikely Heroine You Will Fall in Love With
by Aaliyah Harry 3 weeks ago
Health Anxiety and Kate Middleton's Cancer Diagnosis
health
Finding Kate Middleton's Cancer News Triggering? Here's How to Protect Yourself
by Jo Hoare 3 weeks ago
Princess Of Wales Cancer Diagnosis: Will Trolls Delete Posts
The Royals
After the Princess of Wales Reveals Her Cancer, Will Trolls Delete Their Posts?
by Rhiannon-Evans 22/3
Kate's Cancer Diagnosis: Why Women are Pressured to Show Up?
The Royals
Kate's Cancer Diagnosis: Why Are Women Always Pressured to Show Up?
by Lauren Ezekiel 22/3
Does Dancing on Ice Have A Sexism Problem?
opinion
Does "Dancing on Ice" Have a Sexism Problem?
by Aaliyah Harry 11/3
Will There Be a Second Season of Champion on Netflix?
opinion
I'm Tired of All My Favourite Black British TV Shows Being Axed
by Aaliyah Harry 07/3

Now You Know

Which Love Island Couples Are Still Together?

Entertainment

The "Love Island" Couples Still Together Prove Reality TV Can Work as Cupid

by Joely Chilcott 15/1

Entertainment

The Latest "Priscilla" Trailer Highlights the Ups and Downs of Her Relationship With Elvis

by Eden Arielle Gordon 04/10/23

Entertainment

Why Are So Many of Us Personally Invested in Celebrity Breakups?

by Ali Faccenda 03/10/23

Entertainment

Miley Cyrus Responds to Video of Adele Praising "Used to Be Young" at Las Vegas Show

by Eden Arielle Gordon 30/8/23

Latest Celebrity
We're Hiring! Write For Us Advertise With Us Accessibility Contact Archives
Power Your Happy
Terms Privacy Policy
©2024 Vox Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.