In a departure from royal tradition, King Charles has made the difficult decision to forgo his late mother’s summer ritual of residing at Balmoral Castle.

The Deeside estate in Scotland’s Highlands, which has hosted kings and queens for centuries, will experience an unprecedented vacancy this summer.

This marks the first time in decades that no reigning monarch will inhabit the castle.

The emotional toll of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing has deeply affected King Charles, leading him to break with the tradition that has been maintained by the royal family since the 19th century.

Instead of residing at Balmoral Castle, the king and his wife, Queen Camilla, will remain at Bourke Hall, a smaller private residence within the sprawling Balmoral estate, until the autumn.

This decision leaves the prestigious castle without a monarch in actual residence for the first time in over a century.

Balmoral Castle held a special place in Queen Elizabeth II’s heart.

Each year, she made a pilgrimage to Scotland to stay at the castle at the end of the summer, considering it her favorite royal residence.

Now, following her passing in September 2022 at the age of 96, Balmoral serves as a poignant and somber tribute to her enduring legacy.

The reasons behind King Charles’ absence from Balmoral are personal and reflective of his grief.

Whether it is the weight of his mother’s passing or other considerations, the passionate monarch and his wife have chosen to stay at Bourke Hall until the fall.

Bourke Hall, encompassing 50,000 acres, played a significant role in the couple’s lives during the coronavirus lockdown, serving as their primary residence where they spent most of their time together, isolated from the world.

King Charles has expressed that Bourke Hall holds a special place in his heart, having inherited the property after the queen mother’s death in 2002 and transforming it into a cherished home for himself and Camilla.

While King Charles and Queen Camilla will not be residing at Balmoral Castle, they will still utilize the main castle for official functions, including visits from dignitaries such as Scottish First Minister Hamza Yusuf and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Additionally, various members of the royal family are expected to visit Balmoral in August, maintaining a semblance of royal presence within its historic walls.

In light of his changed travel plans, King Charles has canceled his annual trip to May Castle this year, which is traditionally done to commemorate the first anniversary of his accession.

Instead, he will spend a reflective time split between Balmoral and home.

Former royal butler Grant Harold has shed light on the emotional significance Balmoral holds for the king, stating that it is where he said goodbye to his mother and where her last memories were spent.

Balmoral Castle and the surrounding estate hold an undeniably profound connection to King Charles.

It is a place where the royal family can escape the public eye and come together as one.

Despite the challenges he faces, King Charles’ resilience will likely see him through this difficult time as he puts on a brave face and carries on, supported by staff members who share in the family’s grief.

The absence of King Charles from Balmoral this summer marks a significant departure from royal tradition, reflecting the emotional complexity of a son grieving the loss of his mother.

As time passes, the castle will stand as a silent witness to the enduring legacy of the British monarchy and the memories of Queen Elizabeth II.