Six Favorite Beach Holiday Destinations of Royals to Inspire Your Summer

It's finally summertime in Northern Hemisphere! Since travel plans have resumed, it's good to talk about beautiful beach destinations to chill this summer and enjoy the holiday break.

Among all the luxury beach holiday destinations in the world, there are exceptional vacation spots that the royals favored. 

Here are the destinations where they've been known to go when they need a break from the palace life.

1. Mustique

Mustique is one of the most beautiful islands in the world. It is filled with natural beauty, white sandy beaches, dramatic hills, pristine palm-fringed beaches, and crystal clear turquoise waters. 

It's a favorite beach holiday destination of the British royal family where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge often whisk off their children for a private summer escape. 

The Queen, Prince Philip, and Princess Margaret in Mustique

The island’s connection with the British Royal Family dates back to the 1960’s when Princess Margaret, the only sibling of Queen Elizabeth II, received a 10-acre plot on the island as a wedding gift. 

Les Jolies Eaux

She built her dream villa in the island called Les Jolies Eaux, a Neo-Georgian style open plan villa with five bedrooms, a drawing room, and two swimming pools. 

The Queen and Prince Phillip also fell for Mustique's charms. They visited the island about three times in the 1960s and 1970s to spend their holiday break. 

This exclusive Caribbean island has been the favorite beach destination also of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, with Kate frequented the island with her family even before the royal wedding in 2011. 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge love the privacy of Mustique because they can spend quality time together with their children without any worry of press interference.

Antilles villa in Mustique. Photo: Mustique-island.com

In 2018 and 2019, William and Kate brought their children to the island for the summer getaway, and stayed at the secluded Antilles villa with a breathtaking view of the ocean. 

It is a magnificent contemporary colonial-style house with four luxury bedrooms including children's bedrooms, heated pool and jacuzzi. It has private gardens and ‘indoor-outdoor’ shower rooms. 

Antilles villa in Mustique. Photo: Mustique-island.com

In addition, Antilles has  the services of live-in staff, including a chef, housekeeper, butler and a gardener. The property has stunning view of the neighboring islands of St Vincent and Bequia. 

According to its website, rates per week range between $27,000 to $37,000. The rates do not include connecting flights, food and beverages. 

2. Mallorca, Spain

Mallorca is one of Spain's Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean. It is known for stunning beach resorts, sheltered coves, limestone mountains, Roman and Moorish architecture. 

Just this year, TripAdvisor released its ranking for world's most popular beach destinations, ranking Mallorca number one! Playa de Muro, in the north east of Mallorca, has been voted as Europe's third best beach.

Prince and Princess of Wales and the Spanish royal family. Mallorca 1987

Mallorca is the summer holiday destination of the Spanish royal family. They have a summer residence in the island, the Marivent Palace.

During happier times of the Prince and Princess of Wales, they holidayed with the Spanish royal family in Mallorca in 1987. 

Prince and Princess of Wales and the Spanish royal family. Mallorca 1987

King Juan Carlos of Spain invited them again in 1990 to spend the summer break in Mallorca with family of Constantine II, the former king of Greece.

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, together with their daughters. Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia, regularly made a trip in Mallorca during summer, usually August.

Princess Diana, Prince Charles, King Juan Carlos, Constantine II and their family in Mallorca 1990

Princess Diana archive/Getty Images

In 2021, the Spanish monarchs and his family included an excursion and pilgrimage to Escorca, a municipality in northwestern Mallorca located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Serra de Tramuntana. 

The Spanish royal family during their annual summer in Mallorca

Escorca has the highest mountains on the island and is understandably the least populated area of Mallorca. For your comfort and convenience, you may book your transportation in advance.

A pilgrimage to Escorca, Mallorca. Getty Images

3. Saint Tropez, France

Saint-Tropez is a coastal town on the French Riviera, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. It is a favorite beach destination of the rich and famous due to its electrifying night life and spectacular beaches with turquoise waters. 

Saint Tropez, France

It is known for its  exclusive beach clubs, yachts, exquisite restaurants, chic cafes, and olive groves. Its cobblestoned old town and rugged coastal hikes are some of its additional attractions that drew celebrities and royals.

Princess Diana and Prince Harry in July 1997. Saint Tropez

It is one of the favorite  summer beach destinations of European royals. Almost all members of the reigning royal families in Europe have holidayed in Saint Tropez.

Princess Diana's last summer holiday in 1997 before her death

Princess Diana spent her last beach summer holiday with her sons in Saint Tropez on July 17, 1997, one month before she died in car crash in Paris. 

Princess Diana in Saint Tropez. July 1997

In Saint Tropez, the People's Princess had the best time with her sons, and was spotted jet skiing with Prince Harry wearing a leopard printed swimwear.

Princess Madeleine of Sweden in Saint Tropez

Recently, Princess Madeleine, her husband, Chris O'Neil, and their children were spotted holidaying in Saint Tropez to celebrate her husband's 48th birthday.

Please note that you can get to most of the beaches in Saint Tropez by car. For this, you might want to consider booking your trip, for your comfort and convenience.

Princess Diana aboard the T.M Blue One ©Gianvarlo Giammetti

Princess Diana loved the yacht ocean adventure during her lifetime. She had been photographed on numerous occasions holidaying in a yacht.

The above photo was shared by Valentino co-founder, Giancarlo Giammetti, who posted a throwback pic of the late royal aboard T.M. Blue One yacht in Italy. The Princess of Wales was in the company of Prince Kyril of Bulgaria and his then wife, Rosario Nadal.

4. Isles of Scilly

The Isles of Scilly are group of islands off the coast of Cornwall in southwest England. The islands are covered in heathland and fringed by sandy beaches such as Great Bay on St. Martin’s.  

Scilly embraces simple pleasures. Tourists wake up to a meditative walk at sunrise, stroll the dramatic coastal paths and amazing beaches, or go picnic on a deserted beach, and embrace the sub-tropical feel.

Isles of Scilly. Image: Visit Scilly

This beach holiday destination had been the favorite of the Prince and Princess of Wales during their marriage. 

In 1989, they were spotted biking around the coast of Tresco island with their young sons, William and Harry. The Waleses reportedly stayed in a four-bedroom stone cottage surrounded by beautiful beaches and cycling paths. 

The Prince and Princess of Wales and their young sons

Prince William might have treasured his happier days with his parents and brother in the island because he often brought his own family there when they don't have enough time to go out of the country. 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge enjoyed a mini tour of Cornwall in 2016 and met the The Wave Project on Towan Beach. 

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Isles of Scilly

The couple spent a romantic evening at the picturesque Restormel Manor, a 500-year-old historic house in Lostwithiel, during their trip.

They chose their Scilly family trip for their 2019 Holiday Card. In 2021, they also took their children on a holiday to the Isles of Scilly. 

Holiday in Scilly. The Cambridges 2019 Holiday Card

They reportedly stayed at Dolphin House, a dreamy seaside home with six bedroom, blue and white decors and idyllic waterfront views. 

Dolphin House in Tresco island, Scilly 

Dolphin House is an ideal summer cottage, it is surrounded with a sub-tropical garden which features over 20,000 plants. It is open to the public for vacation rentals. Weekly rates start at £4,865 during the high season and drop to £2,230 during the low season.

Dolphin House in Tresco Island

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have also holidayed in Tresco island in Scilly and stayed at Dolphin House. For comfort and convenience, you may book your transportation in advance.

5. Necker Island

Necker Island is a private luxury property of British billionaire, Sir Richard Branson. It is an exclusive island in the British Virgin Island, a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean island. 

Necker Island. Image: Necker island website

It is entirely owned by Sir Richard Branson, the father-in-law of Prince William's former lady love, Isabella Calthorpe. Sir Branson is the chairman of the Virgin Group, and is part of the Virgin Limited Edition portfolio of luxury properties.

Necker Island. Image: Necker island website

At 74 acres, Necker Island sits in turquoise waters surrounded by coral reefs, fringed with beautiful white sandy beaches and is home to the most spectacular wildlife. Its accommodations have Balinese-inspired rooms and interiors. 

Princess Diana in Necker island 1989. Getty Images

At 74 acres, Necker Island sits in turquoise waters surrounded by coral reefs, fringed with beautiful white sandy beaches and is home to the most spectacular wildlife. Its accommodations have Balinese-inspired rooms and interiors.  

Princess Diana, William, Harry, and her niece. Necker island. 1989

It's a favorite beach destination of Princess Diana and Sarah, Duchess of York due to the privacy the island offers. 

Princess Diana, Princes William and Harry, her mother and niece. Getty Images

Princess Diana holidayed in the Necker island in 1989 with her sons, sisters and their children, at the invitation of Sir Richard Branson. 

The Princess of Wales returned to the island with Princes William and Harry, and her mother, The Honourable Frances Shand-Kydd, in 1990.

Princess Diana and the young William and Harry. Necker island 1990. Getty Images

6. Corsica, France

Corsica is a mountainous Mediterranean island which presents a mix of stylish coastal towns, dense forest and craggy peaks. Its beaches range from busy Pietracorbara to remote Saleccia and Rondinara. Its part of the French territory.

Prince Albert, Princess Charlene and their twins in Corsica. Image: Eric Mathon

It's a favorite beach destination of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco. They spent their summer break in August 2020 during the pandemic.

Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques in Corsica. Image: Princess Charlene IG

Princess Charlene shared her thoughts about their Corsican holiday with a French newspaper: "Here, in Corsica, the children feel great freedom. They've the opportunity to live a unique experience, in contact with the elements, the flowers, animals. The entire cycle of nature is offered to us here, literally on our doorstep" she said.

Note: As traveling slowly rebounds from the onslaught of the pandemic, holiday trippers and tourists start scouting for travel deals. For your comfort and convenience, you may compare prices of transportation and book your trip in any destination around the world in advance.