Charles scraps tradition with new plan to mark anniversary of Queen's death

24 July 2023 , 12:00
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Charles scraps tradition with new plan to mark anniversary of Queen
Charles scraps tradition with new plan to mark anniversary of Queen's death

King Charles could swap his annual trip to the Castle of Mey to mark the first anniversary of his accession in Balmoral instead.

Former royal butler Grant Harrold believes Charles will want to spend the summer in Balmoral as part of "traditional protocol."

Charles usually enjoys spending a week in August at the Mey castle, which once belonged to the Queen.

However, Harrold says he is likely to divide his time "between Balmoral and back home" this year.

The former butler said the visit will be "emotional" as the Queen tragically passed away at her "favourite" place nearly a year ago.

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Charles scraps tradition with new plan to mark anniversary of Queen's deathCharles is expected to pay an 'emotional' visit to Balmoral (Getty Images)

Charles has his own private property on the Balmoral estate, Birkhall, where he and Queen Camilla resided following his mother's death, reports The Express.

Harrold said in an interview with Spin Genie: "The King has already got his own private home at Balmoral. Now, he's a huge believer in traditional protocol. He will go up to Scotland at the end of this month.

"And historically, he goes up to the Castle of Mey, which he is a trustee of. He would always spend the week there. I don't think he will be going this year.

"My gut is telling me that he will do the whole ceremony of arriving at Balmoral. He’ll divide his time between Balmoral and back home."

Charles scraps tradition with new plan to mark anniversary of Queen's deathThe Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh with their children at Balmoral Castle (Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

He added that this trip to Balmoral will be one of "mixed emotions" for the King as he has been going there for many years with his late father and mother.

Now the "main man", it will fall to Charles to keep up with events such as hosting the Ghillies Ball, but he will have friends and close staff members nearby to comfort him.

Mr Harrold continued: "Balmoral Castle is the place where he said goodbye to his mother, the Queen. It’s where she died, and spent her last memories.

Charles scraps tradition with new plan to mark anniversary of Queen's deathCharles and Camilla stayed at Balmoral after the Queen's death (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

"He’s aware that's where his mother spent the last days of her life. So, there will be many emotions going through his head. I believe she chose to pass there, it was her favourite place to be.

"It’s a place where the Royal family can get away from everything and be together as a unit. The kind of character Charles is, he’ll go up there like all of us who have been in a similar situation, and he’ll put on a brave face and carry on.

"He’s also very close to the staff up there. They’ve always got on very well with the family. A lot of them will be deeply missing the Queen.

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"Don't forget, the King has guests when he's up there. He has friends that often come up to stay with him."

Monica Charsley

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