Inside Balmoral Castle as King Charles allows fans rare glimpse of beloved home
The Royal Family have opened up the doors of Balmoral Castle to the public for the first time ever.
Balmoral Castle has now been opened to the Public on a daily basis until Sunday, August 11.
From today, July 1, visitors can take a guided tour of a number of the Aberdeenshire castle's entrance hall, red corridor, main and family dining rooms, as well as the page's lobby, library and drawing room.
Speaking ahead of the official opening, James Hamilton Goddard - who is the visitor enterprise manager for the Balmoral Estate - said: "The public who managed to get a ticket will come away [having seen] the Royal Family's holiday home. That's exactly what it is, it feels very homely."
King Charles is said to be keen for "people to see" the residence that has been much-loved by the Royal Family since the 1850s.
Mr Goddard added: "It's a magnificent place, I think the King wants people to see [it]."
King Charles, who ascended the throne in 2022, is the latest in a long line of monarchs to add their own stamp to Balmoral. The 75-year-old has changed the drawing room carpets back to Hunting Stewart tartan, which was the original style of floor coverings that Queen Victoria had fitted in the castle.
(Image: ROYAL ROTA)
The castle's library, which is pictured, was once Queen Victoria's breakfast and lunch room. It is currently used by the King as his working study. It also prides itself as a room that has welcomed dignitaries from across the globe.
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Prior to the latest opening, visitors were previously only been able to visit Balmoral's ballroom and the grounds of the castle. The new guided tours will include a visit to the ballroom where Victoria staged dances and the Royal Family still hold Ghillies' balls to entertain their staff.
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The royal summer retreat has been a loyal residence since it was bought by Prince Albert in 1852 - after it was first leased in 1848. The royal reportedly bought the residency for £32,000. It is most recently cited as the place that the late Queen Elizabeth died on September 8, 2022.
(Image: ROYAL ROTA)
The entrance hall of Balmoral is lined with 22 stuffed stag heads and a bronze statue of Malcolm of Canmore, the 11th Century king who is said to have killed Macbeth. There’s also a bust of Queen Victoria, which is a hint of the monarch's influence which is felt right through the castle.
(Image: ROYAL ROTA)