World

Queen Elizabeth II’s Final Days at Balmoral Castle: A Quiet Retreat in the Highlands

By TOI World Desk

Queen Elizabeth II spent the last days of her life at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, a place she had long cherished for its peace and family memories. The 53,000‑acre estate, located in the Scottish Highlands, has served as a private summer retreat for the British royal family for more than 170 years. It was here that the monarch breathed her last on 8 September 2022, choosing to spend her final days in a setting she loved.

Balmoral offered the Queen a break from royal engagements and public appearances. Each August the royal family would retreat to the estate, where they entertained friends, attended dances, fished, picnicked, and went on shooting parties. The Queen’s affection for the Highlands was evident. In the 2016 documentary *Our Queen at Ninety*, her granddaughter Princess Eugenie said, “I think Granny is the most happy there. I think she really, really loves the Highlands.” Former Comptroller of the Royal Household Sir Malcolm Ross described the estate’s wide open spaces and lack of distractions, noting that the Queen could relax with her dogs and enjoy simple pleasures.

The estate was originally purchased by Prince Albert in 1852 for about 17,000 acres and has since expanded to over 53,000 acres. It includes moorland, heath, hills, protected woodland, landscaped lawns, gardens, a maze and a nine‑hole golf course. The Queen enjoyed riding horses and walking her dogs across the grounds, and she once remarked, “You can go out for miles and never see anybody; there are endless possibilities.”

Balmoral also saw the Queen interact with visitors in a relaxed manner. Former protection officer Richard Griffin recalled an encounter with two American tourists who asked if the elderly woman walking beside him was the Queen. She replied humorously, “I haven’t, but Dick here meets her regularly,” and then posed for a photo with the tourists.

Although the estate was a private retreat, the Queen continued her duties while there. She read diplomatic papers delivered in red boxes and welcomed foreign dignitaries and British politicians. The Prime Minister traditionally visited her once a year, making Balmoral an important venue for official meetings.

In a 2024 speech to the Scottish Parliament, King Charles said his mother treasured Balmoral and chose it for her final days. Princess Anne later recalled that the Queen had once worried that dying there could complicate arrangements, but the family persuaded her that it was her choice.

Balmoral remains the private property of King Charles. The royal family still spends part of late summer at the estate, and it is open to the public during selected months, allowing visitors to explore gardens, exhibitions and the surrounding countryside. The estate also offers holiday cottages for those wishing to experience the Scottish Highlands.

For Queen Elizabeth, Balmoral was more than a residence; it was a place to step away from Crown responsibilities, spend time with family, enjoy nature and experience simple pleasures. Her decision to spend her final days there reflected the deep happiness the estate had brought her throughout her life.