AFTER ENCHANTING GENERATIONS OF ROYALS BALMORAL CASTLE OPENS FOR ITS FIRST PUBLIC TOURS
HELLO! UK|April 15, 2024
It was Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite home and the place where she felt happiest – and was where she spent the final weeks of her life.
TRACY SCHAVERIEN
AFTER ENCHANTING GENERATIONS OF ROYALS BALMORAL CASTLE OPENS FOR ITS FIRST PUBLIC TOURS

Now visitors will be able to explore the interior of the former monarch’s summer retreat when Balmoral Castle opens for extensive public tours for the first time in its history.

Priced at £100 each, or £150 with afternoon tea, tickets to see the King’s private Highland residence sold out within 24 hours of going on sale. Visitors will be treated to guided tours of the castle, including rooms used by the royal family when they stay there, and numbers will be limited to 40 people per day, with ten in each group.

Public opening will take place between 1 July and 4 August, shortly before the King and Queen arrive for their summer break.

As well as the castle, Buckingham Palace’s East Wing, which includes the façade featuring the central balcony where the royal family gather for special occasions, is also to have its debut public opening this summer.

The King has long wanted to give the public greater access to royal residences and the announcements are sure to excite royal fans, who were also able to visit St James’s Palace for the first time following His Majesty’s accession.

A HOME THROUGH HISTORY

Balmoral has been enjoyed by the royal family since 1852, when Prince Albert bought it as a gift for Queen Victoria. Its original castle, however, was deemed too small and a new one was commissioned and completed four years later. An example of Scottish baronial architecture, it is classified as a category A listed building by Historic Environment Scotland for having special architectural or historical interest.

This story is from the April 15, 2024 edition of HELLO! UK.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the April 15, 2024 edition of HELLO! UK.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HELLO! UKView All
MAKING A CAREER COMEBACK AND DEEPLY IN LOVE KEANU REEVES HITS NEW HIGHS AS HE CELEBRATES TURNING 60
HELLO! UK

MAKING A CAREER COMEBACK AND DEEPLY IN LOVE KEANU REEVES HITS NEW HIGHS AS HE CELEBRATES TURNING 60

He has long held a reputation for having the biggest heart in Hollywood, and as Keanu Reeves celebrates his 60th birthday, life seems to be treating him well in return.

time-read
1 min  |
September 16, 2024
OSCAR-WINNING ACTRESS ALICIA VIKANDER ON PLAYING HENRY VIII'S LAST WIFE IN NEW FILM
HELLO! UK

OSCAR-WINNING ACTRESS ALICIA VIKANDER ON PLAYING HENRY VIII'S LAST WIFE IN NEW FILM

When Alicia Vikander signed on to play one of the most famous women in British history in the new movie Firebrand, she knew it was important to get her portrayal right. But despite spending many hours researching the significance of Katherine Parr, the sixth and final wife of Henry VIII, she also acknowledges that becoming a mother she shares two children with her actor husband Michael Fassbender was invaluable when it came to getting into such a historical character.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 16, 2024
BERNARDO SILVA AND MODEL WIFE HAVE A BALL AT DAUGHTER'S FIRST BIRTHDAY BASH
HELLO! UK

BERNARDO SILVA AND MODEL WIFE HAVE A BALL AT DAUGHTER'S FIRST BIRTHDAY BASH

Dribbling, (sleep) training, athome games, even changing ends for Premier League footballer Bernardo Silva, they have all taken on new meaning over the past 12 months.

time-read
1 min  |
September 16, 2024
QUEEN RANIA OF JORDAN RADIATES ELEGANCE IN LATEST BIRTHDAY PORTRAIT
HELLO! UK

QUEEN RANIA OF JORDAN RADIATES ELEGANCE IN LATEST BIRTHDAY PORTRAIT

Becoming a grandmother certainly hasn't robbed Queen Rania of her sparkle. Judging by a new official photo released in celebration of her 54th birthday (left), it has merely enhanced it.

time-read
1 min  |
September 16, 2024
NICOLE KIDMAN A PERFECT BELLE IN BALENCIAGA AS SHE STEALS SHOW AT LONDON PREMIERE
HELLO! UK

NICOLE KIDMAN A PERFECT BELLE IN BALENCIAGA AS SHE STEALS SHOW AT LONDON PREMIERE

She and her husband Keith Urban might be considered The Perfect Couple, but Australian superstar Nicole was only too happy to go it alone when she donned a stunning black Balenciaga gown for the London premiere of the new Netflix show, in which she stars as matriarch novelist Greer Winbury.

time-read
1 min  |
September 16, 2024
KATE BECKINSALE PLAYS A SHORT - AND A LONG-GAME AT VENICE GALA
HELLO! UK

KATE BECKINSALE PLAYS A SHORT - AND A LONG-GAME AT VENICE GALA

The star-studded amfAR Gala in Venice was a peachy occasion for actress Kate Beckinsale, who walked the red carpet dressed in the cheerful hue last week.

time-read
1 min  |
September 16, 2024
RED HOT ON THE RED CARPET COUPLES COSY UP IN VENICE THAT'S AMORE FOR GLAMOROUS STARS AT THE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
HELLO! UK

RED HOT ON THE RED CARPET COUPLES COSY UP IN VENICE THAT'S AMORE FOR GLAMOROUS STARS AT THE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

For many it's the city of love - and Daniel who looked smart in a Meanwhile, fans of Lady Gaga who accompanied her to the the film stars descending on bespoke suit by Loewe plays one of were treated to a glimpse of her new year, we offer film, in which she Venice for this year's International Film Festival certainly made it live up to that name, cosying up to their partners on the red carpet.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 16, 2024
AS SHE UNVEILS HER LATEST FASHION COLLECTION LAURA WHITMORE ON STYLE INSPO AND THE JOY OF A MULTI-FACETED CAREER
HELLO! UK

AS SHE UNVEILS HER LATEST FASHION COLLECTION LAURA WHITMORE ON STYLE INSPO AND THE JOY OF A MULTI-FACETED CAREER

Posing up a storm in our exclusive HELLO! photoshoot, Laura Whitmore is reminiscing about when she first discovered an interest in fashion growing up in Bray, Co. Wicklow.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 16, 2024
PROVING THAT HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS THE PRINCE OF WALES SHARES STORIES WITH ARTISTS AT SHOW INSPIRED BY HOMELESSNESS CAMPAIGN
HELLO! UK

PROVING THAT HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS THE PRINCE OF WALES SHARES STORIES WITH ARTISTS AT SHOW INSPIRED BY HOMELESSNESS CAMPAIGN

Fresh from his summer break, the Prince of Wales returned to royal duties last week, sporting the beard he debuted in August.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 16, 2024
VINTAGE FASHION FAN LADY AMELIA WINDSOR ENJOYS AN INTIMATE BELATED BIRTHDAY BASH
HELLO! UK

VINTAGE FASHION FAN LADY AMELIA WINDSOR ENJOYS AN INTIMATE BELATED BIRTHDAY BASH

When it comes to celebrating in style, Lady involved. Sipping on a chardonnay from Chile's neither confirms nor denies if she will be attending Amelia Windsor knows how to deliver.

time-read
1 min  |
September 16, 2024