King Charles receives official welcome at Balmoral Castle ahead of Royal Family reunion
The King has been received at Balmoral as he begins his annual summer holiday on the royal Scottish estate with his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort.
King Charles has received an official welcome at Balmoral as he and Queen Camilla arrive at the castle to embark on their royal summer holiday.
In a small ceremony outside the Balmoral gates, the King inspected a Guard of Honour formed of the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The rest of the Royal Family will make their way up to the castle to join Charles and Camilla over the course of the next few days and weeks.
This will include Prince Andrew, who has been invited to join the rest of the family up there alongside his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
The move has been seen as an olive branch from the King after the brothers were reportedly in dispute over Andrew's future at his home, Royal Lodge.
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The King has received an official welcome to Balmoral Castle. In a small ceremony outside the Castle gates, the King inspected a Guard of Honour formed of the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland ������������������������������������������ pic.twitter.com/pkBZ58RDN3
— Lizzie Robinson (@LizzieITV) August 21, 2023
Daily Express royal correspondent Richard Palmer said that Charles wants all his family there, as the Firm prepare to mark the one-year anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's death on September 8.
Even Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been given an "open invite" to visit Balmoral, even though they are not exactly on speaking terms with the King.
Andrew reportedly drove himself to the castle while Fergie flew to Aberdeen to meet him there, and they will be staying at Craigowan Lodge on the Balmoral estate.
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Their daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie may also join them at some point with their young families, the first summer holiday for baby Ernest following his birth in May.
An insider at the castle said: "It’s not a snub to be staying at the lodge rather than the main house. It is delightful and the Duke and Duchess can relax totally. It’s only a mile to the big house where family dinners and get-togethers will take place.
"The King and Andrew are now on much better terms and making him the first member of the family to join him is an olive branch."
While sources say that Andrew will never return to royal duties, he and Charles have patched up their relationship and remain close family members.
The King had concerns about whether the Duke could afford to stay at Royal Lodge, which is on a long lease from the independent Crown Estate, however he does not have the power to force Andrew out, who is determined to stay put.
The insider said: "The King realises Andrew can’t return to royal duties in the near future but he is still his brother and he knows the late Queen would want them to patch up their differences and work together, especially as Harry and Meghan have proved so divisive."