The Queen’s annual Summer holiday to Balmoral looks set to be cancelled under the current Coronavirus restrictions in the United Kingdom. Her Majesty usually travels to Balmoral in July and typically spends August and September at the Aberdeenshire castle though current guidelines over non-essential travel between England and Scotland may force the trip to be cancelled.
Residents of England and Scotland have been encouraged not to travel between the two countries owing to the different lockdown measures in place in each. If The Queen and Prince Philip were to travel to Balmoral, it is likely that they would take a private helicopter though this is yet to be confirmed.
Holiday accommodation has begun to reopen in England though in Scotland it remains closed. The earliest this is expected to change is 15th July.
Her Majesty and The Duke of Edinburgh have been in isolation at Windsor Castle since 19th March, one week before the UK went in to full lockdown. It was suggested at the beginning of lockdown that The Queen and Prince Philip would remain at Windsor for the majority, if not all, of the Summer months.
Scotland appears to be taking a more cautious approach to easing lockdown restrictions. First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, announced on Monday that beer gardens in Scotland could reopen on 6th July while non-essential shops within indoor shopping centres are reopening from 13th July. The hospitality industry in England is allowed to reopen from Saturday 4th July.
Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall have recently relocated from Birkhall on the Balmoral Estate back to Clarence House in London. They arrived in London nearly a fortnight ago for a meeting with French President, Emmanuel Macron. Other members of The Royal Family including The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Princess Royal and The Earl and Countess of Wessex have all recently returned to public duties.
Buckingham Palace have not commented on The Queen’s travel plans.
Photo Credit: Iain Cameron & Stuart Yeates