31 July 2023 , 00:58
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King Charles is expecting a host of family members to join him at the Balmoral estate before the summer is out - but that doesn't include Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Breaking with his mother's tradition, Charles and Queen Camilla have reportedly chosen the 50,000 acre estate's smaller Birkhall lodge as their main base until autumn, leaving Balmoral Castle without a monarch physically in residence for the first time since the 19th century.
It's where the couple spent most of the Covid-19 lockdown and the King has called it "such a special place", having inherited it upon the death of the Queen Mother in 2002.
Balmoral Castle has, of course, has taken on a tragic new significance since the Queen died there last September at the age of 96. It's not known whether this is why Charles opted for Birkhall instead, but whatever the reason, the King will certainly not be lonely during his summer residence.
Camilla and Charles are expecting visits from a number of family members (Clarence House via Getty Images)
Meghan and Harry aren't expected to be there (Getty Images)The Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children George, Charlotte, and Louis are all expected to come and spend time at Balmoral in August, according to royal expert Robert Jobson. Anne, Princess Royal and Zara Tindall are also likely guests, while even Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson could possibly show up as they did at Sandringham over Christmas.
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However Harry and Meghan and their young children Archie and Lilibet are "not expected", Mr Jobson writes for the Express.
"They have been given an 'open invite' to join family gatherings by the Palace, but no personal olive branch has been extended by the King for the summer getaway," he says. “'There is not much dialogue if any between the King and his second son,' an insider told me."
The King at Balmoral with young Harry and William (Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)Mr Jobson, acknowledging that the Royal Family is "more fragmented" now that Charles is in charge, "wonders what the late and great Elizabeth II would have made of it all".
"As her final evening at Balmoral drew to a close, she spoke about finding peace and pleasure in the serene Highland surroundings," he writes. "She displayed her trademark wit too, playfully joking about sending her guest The Right Rev Dr Iain Greenshields, the then Moderator of the Church of Scotland to the Tower – because his room was in the turreted castle’s tower.
"Perhaps if there is contact made between The King and his second son, His Majesty can save that room and try that gag for Harry."