It seems that significant changes are on the horizon for the royals, who may potentially have to say farewell to the cherished Balmoral summer retreat. The decision comes from King Charles, who plans to extend Balmoral Castle's public opening times by an additional two weeks each summer.
According to Richard Eden, the Daily Mail's Diary Editor, this move is designed to bring significant new revenue into the estate. Mr Eden suggests that King Charles is likely to continue his custom of spending the first week of August at the Castle of Mey - the former home of his late grandmother, nestled in the seaside village of Caithness at the northernmost tip of Scotland.
© GettySubsequently, the King is expected to reside at Birkhall, his private residence on the Balmoral Estate, while awaiting the castle's closure to visitors.
The move might represent an exit for Prince Andrew, the late Queen Elizabeth II's second son, who possesses a holiday home as well at Balmoral while he risks expulsion from The Royal Lodge in Windsor.
© Max Mumby/IndigoPrince Andrew has resided in the luxurious £30 million Windsor property since signing a 75-year lease in 2003. The royal stepped down as a working member of the royal family in November 2019 following his controversial TV interview with BBC Newsnight which focused on his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Meanwhile, in January 2022, the late Queen Elizabeth II stripped Andrew of his honorary military roles. The Duke of York also stopped using the style 'His Royal Highness' in any official capacity. At the time, Buckingham Palace released a statement which read: "With The Queen's approval and agreement, The Duke of York's military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to The Queen. The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen."
Despite stepping back as a working member of the royal family, Prince Andrew has since made several public appearances. He attended the funerals of his parents, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. He joined the royals on the walk to church as King Charles hosted his first Christmas at Sandringham last December and was also present at the Easter Sunday service earlier this year.
On 6 May, Prince Andrew attended his brother King Charles's historic coronation. Whilst the Duke did not have a formal role in the ceremony, he was present in the congregation alongside the likes of Prince Harry, Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank, Zara Tindall and her husband Mike Tindall, and Princess Anne.
