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 “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!
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Balmoral's History
- 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.
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Balmoral and the Queen
- 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 favorite 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.
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Balmoral's Location
- The estate is located in the Scottish countryside, about 50 miles from the city of 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.
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Balmoral Traditions
- 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, 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 favor 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, stalking, hiking, and so on.
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Fun Facts About Balmoral
- 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.
