First Summer Without His Mother: King Charles III Arrives in Balmoral For The Annual Summer Break

His Majesty King Charles III has arrived in Balmoral for the royal family's annual summer break, continuing a long-standing royal tradition that dates back to Queen Victoria's time spending the summer holiday in the Balmoral estate in Scotland. 

After a stay at the Castle of Mey, a royal residence he inherited from his grandmother, the Queen Mother, the King moved to Balmoral, where he received an official welcome. 

King Charles III arrives in Balmoral, August 21, 2023

During the traditional stay at Balmoral, the King is expected to host friends, family, and VIP guests, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, in Balmoral Castle. The King will return to England in early October after marking the anniversary of his ascension in Scotland.

Balmoral Castle

King Charles's trip to Balmoral is particularly poignant. This is the first time that he will be spending the summer break without his mother. Queen Elizabeth II made her final trip to her beloved Balmoral last summer (July 2022) and died there less than two months later, on September 8, 2022.

The Queen's last summer in Balmoral

The late Queen, who spent her long life in service to the nation and the commonwealth, performed her last duty as head of state in Balmoral Castle on September 6, 2022, by confirming the appointment of Prime Minister Liz Truss, two days later she peacefully passed away.

His Majesty will mark the first death anniversary of his mother in Balmoral and his first anniversary of accession to the British throne.

He is expected also to attend the Braemar Games in the Scottish Highlands in the first week of September. Queen Camilla and The Princess Royal are expected to join him in this event.

As he arrived in the Scottish royal estate, the King wore the traditional Scottish garment, the Kilt, something he regularly practiced when in Scotland, continuing a long royal tradition of wearing the traditional Scottish outfit as a sign of promoting local culture and custom. 

This is an indication that his son, Prince William, who dreaded wearing a "skirt", is also expected to do as such. The public has long been waiting for the Prince of Wales to follow this royal tradition since he is the future British king.

But so far in his adult years, Prince William was not seen wearing one. The last time he donned a Kilt was when he was still a young boy, when his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, was still alive.

So will Prince William continue this long-cherished tradition of the Royal Family when in Scotland? It remains to be seen this week or in the next years.