- The King is looking north as he continues to modernise the royal family
- READ MORE: King Charles rips up Sandringham lawn for climate-friendly garden
The last time someone tried to modernise Balmoral, it didn’t end well.
When Edward VIII visited with Wallis Simpson during his brief reign, the couple introduced film nights (fortified with triple-decker sandwiches) with friends rather than following protocol and inviting important dignitaries.
Such breaking of conventions caused widespread consternation.
With this memory in mind, there was trepidation among the estate’s ghillies (the Gaelic word for groundskeepers) that King Charles might want to shake things up.
Would he be happy to stay overnight in the draughty castle with its ancient plumbing and clanking pipes? Or would he retreat to the comfort of his long-time bolthole in nearby Birkhall?
King Charles enjoying the Highland games at the annual Braemar Gathering on Saturday
The King places a hand on Camilla’s jacket mid-conversation as they watch the games
The King and his sister Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, share a joke during the Braemar Gathering on Saturday
How would Camilla fare as the new chatelaine? She is known to hate Balmoral’s flummery and stuffiness – and is assumed to prefer watching TV at home in Wiltshire with a glass of wine rather than doing a Highland Fling.
To some long-standing Balmoral aides, the prospect of Charles taking over was unsettling, especially with news of staff cuts swirling.
A source said: ‘There was a lot of concern about what the first royal summer without the late Queen would look like – whether His Majesty would end the Ghillies’ Balls and how long he would stay up here. Some were saying the King would opt for a “Balmoral-lite” break.’
Certainly, there is change afoot.
Having modernised Sandringham – including transforming his late father’s farm on the Norfolk estate into an organic enterprise – Charles is now working on Balmoral.
His charitable foundation has ploughed money into the area, with a new gallery and visitor centre at the historic but modest site of the Braemar Gathering highland games, which the King and Queen attended yesterday.
Using the same tasteful shade of green chosen for the interiors at Dumfries House, which Charles restored, the new building has brought a touch of professionalism to the traditional caber-tossing and hammer-throwing.
The 500 inhabitants of Braemar, the nearest town to Balmoral, often see the King walking around and stopping for a chat.
His attention to detail extends even to the colour of paint used on Braemar Castle. As for Balmoral itself, there will be fewer staff over the coming years – but those who remain are expected to see their pay rise. King Charles has made it clear that he prefers fewer staff on better salaries to an army of poorly paid servants.
The biggest fear is that with the changing of the royal guard, the importance of the family’s annual summer break in Scotland might be diluted.
But the King will, indeed, host a ball this week – though there is likely to be just one rather than the traditional two held by his mother.
Also, Charles will continue his late mother’s habit of staying in Scotland until mid-October – albeit with a short break to make his postponed visit to France.
Not only is the King honouring his mother’s summer tradition, he is investing more time and energy into the area.
He has taken an interest in the renovation of Braemar Castle, with his primary concern about the Lottery-funded project being the colour of the walls.
Braemar Castle in the Scottish Islands, which is undergoing a Lottery-funded refurbishment in which the King has expressed a personal interest
Balmoral Castle, the summer home of the royal family since the days of Queen Victoria
Queen Camilla has given the local area a boost with the launch of the Braemar Literary Festival in 2022 through her Reading Room book club. She is pictured here with author Sebastian Faulks and Reading Room director Vicki Perrin
The Fife Arms in Braemar has been transformed from a run-down hotel into a five-star destination, seizing upon its proximity to royalty to draw in rich tourists
Simon Blackett, of Yellow Welly Tours, said: ‘The King wanted to know what colour we were going to paint Braemar Castle.
‘When I said white, he wasn’t sure how bright the white would be. But I assured him that it would be an off-white.’
The King also offered the services of an architect from his foundation to help on the project.
Elsewhere, much sprucing up is under way.
Described by locals as ‘the most famous village in the world’, Braemar is increasingly living up to its name. Rich tourists are being lured to experience the Highlands and enjoy fine dining.
The Swiss owners of the Fife Arms have transformed a once-run-down hotel into a five-star destination with artworks by Picasso and an original drawing by Queen Victoria.
Queen Camilla has also helped to boost the area’s profile. Last year she created a new literary festival at Braemar and the annual event will be repeated later this month with lectures by best-selling authors and champagne receptions.
Though not overly fond of Balmoral, palace sources say that the Queen recognises the importance of staying there overnight.
However, she does return every so often to her private study at Birkhall to see to her correspondence and enjoy a good book.
For the King and Queen are said to be conscious that they must preserve tradition.
When it comes to official guests, Charles will ensure a vital sense of continuity.
He has honoured his late mother’s guest list, inviting Lady Susan Hussey, her former lady-in-waiting.
Meanwhile, there are signs within the family that the King has used the summer to set family matters in order.
Putting his brother Andrew in the car with Prince William on the way to church last weekend was a clear signal to the world that the Royal Family is still just that – a family.
King Charles overruled Prince William by welcoming the disgraced Duke of York back in the royal family fold
The King is ‘modernising Balmoral’ following his mother’s death but is ‘not ripping up the rulebook’, according to Royal sources
Queen Camilla has been credited with boosting the profile of the area around the estate
Crowds watch as the royal party leaves the Braemar Gathering on Saturday. The pull of the family – and its link to the wider Aberdeenshire area – remains as strong as ever
A source said: ‘The King is modernising Balmoral but he’s not ripping up the rulebook. In some ways he is taking it back to the true tradition of the royal summer break.
‘He has invited official guests, and Prince Andrew is there in a private family capacity.
‘It does not mean that he will ever return to public life but Charles is keeping his family close and is keen to separate the public and private elements of how the family is run.’
That said, The Mail on Sunday understands that no invitation was extended to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and palace sources say there is no separate plan for Charles to see his younger son when Harry visits Britain next week.
One source said: ‘As far as I’m aware the lines of communication – even between the Palace staff and Harry’s team – are almost completely frayed and have been for months.’
The secluded Scottish location has allowed important family talks about the future of the family to take place – meetings dubbed the ‘Balmoral Summit’ by some royal watchers.
One issue being discussed is how the late Queen might be remembered, with the task of deciding how best to commemorate her being overseen by Lord Janvrin, her former Private Secretary.
He will chair the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee which will consider and recommend proposals for both a permanent memorial, and a ‘national legacy programme’ akin to the late Prince Philip’s hugely successful Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.
The late Queen Elizabeth II pictured at Balmoral on September 6 2022 – two days before her death. She was extremely fond of the area, and locals regarded her as a neighbour
Queen Elizabeth II inspecting the Balaklava Company, 5 Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland at the gates of Balmoral in 2021. King Charles III has continued to honour his mother’s guest list at the secluded Scottish estate
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip with (L-R) Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Charles enjoying Balmoral in 1960
The aim will be to devise something distinct from the parks, gardens and transport links that have already been named in the Queen’s honour.
Lord Janvrin said: ‘It will be a unique challenge to try to capture for future generations Her Late Majesty’s extraordinary contribution to our national life throughout her very long reign.’
Of course, for years, Balmoral is no stranger to changing family dynamics. First bought by Queen Victoria, it has been a treasured spot for the Royal Family.
There, the late Queen could enjoy ‘normal’ life – hiking with her cousin Margaret Rhodes and having lunch at her log cabin in Glen Beg.
Since his mother died at Balmoral (the first monarch to do so), the estate has a new poignancy for the King. It seems right and symbolic that the quiet revolution at Balmoral is the first clear sign of how the reign of Charles III will work.
The King’s family will be kept close, but kept in check. Loyal staff will be retained, but the flummery will be cut back.
And for traditionalists, protocols will be maintained.
Up in Aberdeenshire, there is a renewed sense of excitement – and more than a little relief.
For after a period of great sadness and fears of change, there will be dancing again.
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