King Charles' Balmoral retreat in Scotland could become wedding venue
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Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla leaving the Houses of Parliament in London, following the State Opening of Parliament in July 2024.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON - Britain’s King Charles III’s remote private estate in the Scottish Highlands could become an exclusive location for weddings, if an application to the local council is approved.
Documents submitted for consideration next week by the licensing board of Aberdeenshire Council outline plans to allow “weddings, dinners, meetings and associated events” at the Queen’s Building on the royal Balmoral Estate.
The Queen’s Building lies just north of Balmoral Castle near the estate office and stables, and was built in the 1980s as staff quarters and a canteen.
It was converted in 2023 to accommodate dining for visitors.
If approved at an Oct 30 licensing board meeting, the venue could host up to 277 guests inside, with a further 144 on an outside patio.
Permission to sell alcohol and play music is also part of the application, which was submitted on April 30, the documents showed.
“These events may involve live performances and dancing, where alcohol may be sold up to 12.30am. These events will be rare throughout the year,” the application added.
Balmoral, set in 20,000 hectares of sprawling grouse moors, forest and farmland, is located around 80km west of Aberdeen and was the late Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite royal residence.
She died there on Sept 8, 2022, aged 96 after a period of ill health.
Privately owned by the monarch, the castle was bought by Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert in the mid-19th century and has since become a favoured summer retreat for the royals.
Its grounds have been open to the public for many years and provision for tourists has gradually increased in recent times, with holiday cottages and Land Rover tours of the estate.
This year, the rest of the venue was opened to visitors for the first time, billed as part of plans by King Charles III to give a better insight into royal life.
Tickets for the guided tours were snapped up within 24 hours of going on sale, despite prices upwards of £100 (S$170). AFP
