King Charles has revealed why his late mother Queen Elizabeth II ‘chose’ to spend her final days at her ‘treasured’ Balmoral home in Scotland.
He reminisced fondly about her time there during a speech at Holyrood in Edinburgh marking the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament – in which he revealed how the country held a ‘uniquely special place in the hearts of my family’.
Elizabeth died aged 96 on September 8 2022 at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, which has been a royal residence since 1852.
Charles has now suggested that his mother was intent on the property being where she would see out her life, following the death of husband Prince Philip in April 2021.
The King, Elizabeth’s eldest child and who had his coronation in May last year, described Balmoral’s importance to her in his speech yesterday.
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The late Queen Elizabeth II ‘treasured’ her Balmoral Castle home in Aberdeenshire, her son King Charles has told the Scottish Parliament – she is seen there in September 1952
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Married couple the Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth II are seen here in the grounds of Balmoral Castle with children (left to right) Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Charles
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Charles and Anne – seen here arriving ahead of their mother’s state funeral in September 2022 – have both spoken about how important Balmoral Castle was to the late Queen
He said: ‘My late mother especially treasured the time spent at Balmoral, and it was there, in the most beloved of places, where she chose to spend her final days.’
She traditionally spent summer breaks at the castle and was there when she passed away, with Charles and her daughter Princess Anne by her side.
The cause of death was officially registered as ‘old age’.
Flanked by his wife Queen Camilla, the King told the Scottish Parliament yesterday: ‘We are all, at the end of each day, united by our love of Scotland.
‘Because of its natural beauty, of course, but also because of its strength of character, based as it is on the extraordinary diversity of its peoples, whose range of ideas, skills, energy, passions, and frequently deeply-held beliefs, never cease to inspire me.’
And he asked: ‘Who, I wonder, could not fail to be moved by this complex Caledonian kaleidoscope?’
He also referred to the mace his mother presented to Scottish parliament 25 years ago following devolution.
He described it as being engraved with ‘the qualities to which we all aspire and that represent the very foundations of the relationship we share – wisdom, justice, compassion, integrity’.
Charles added: ‘In those intervening years, much has changed in our world, but those most Scottish of values have remained steadfast.
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The late Queen and her husband Prince Philip are pictured here beside Balmoral’s flower walk
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The couple are seen at Balmoral on their silver, 25th, wedding anniversary in November 1972
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The late Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire on September 8 2022
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She is seen here with children Anne (left) and Charles (right) in September 1952 at Balmoral
‘We are often told that we live in an era of polarisation and division. If that is so, then it is perhaps even more important, not less, that in the vital areas of representation, of political debate, of policymaking and of discourse, these values – together with hope, civility, and generosity of spirit – are never far from the heart of even the most difficult of issues.’
His sister the Princess Royal has also spoken of how her mother felt happiest at Balmoral yet also appeared to have concerns that dying there would prove more problematic than if she was in London or at Windsor.
Anne told a BBC documentary last year: ‘I think there was a moment when she felt it would be more difficult if she died at Balmoral.
‘I think we did try to persuade her that shouldn’t be part of the decision-making process. So I hope she felt that was right in the end, because we did.’
While in Balmoral in September 2022, the Queen wore a tartan dress when saying farewell to Boris Johnson – and then welcome Liz Truss as new Prime Minister, just two days before Elizabeth II’s death.
The Queen had been at Balmoral since July after arriving on the Royal Train.
In his speech to the Scottish Parliament yesterday, Charles also hailed sitting MSPs for their public service – adding that the institution had ‘thrived’ over the past quarter of a century.
He also urged people to come together to address the challenges shared ‘inhabitants’ living on the same planet, especially climate change.
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The King and Queen at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh yesterday
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King Charles smiles as he chats to presiding officer Alison Johnstone
King and Queen sign visitors book at Scottish Parliament’s 25th
The King and Queen appeared moved by a warm welcome from Scots and tourists as they travelled a short distance by car to Scotland’s corridors of power.
The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay – as they are known in Scotland – were preceded by a procession of the Royal Honours of Scotland, otherwise known as the Scottish crown jewels.
These jewels, the oldest in Britain, were escorted by a Guard of Honour of youngsters representing 12 youth organisations including Girlguiding Scotland, the Scottish Youth Parliament and Scouts Scotland.
Charles, 75, is expected to stay at Birkhall, his home on the Balmoral estate, until Wednesday before returning to London where he continues to be treated for cancer.