Is Balmoral Going The Same Way As Osbourne?

[sandyRoe]

Balmoral is to be opened to the general public.  Tours and afternoon teas will be available.

It seems the present generation of royals don't want it as a summer retreat.

Osbourne was given to the national by Queen Victoria's son.  How long before Balmoral goes the same way?

[jno]

I don't know that young moderns like William and Kate really want to spend a whole lot of time hunting grouse and shooting stags. Country estates like that may be useful for hiding away in, but they must cost a lot for staffing and upkeep. That still leaves Sandringham. Windsor and Buck House. What became of the Queen Mother's Castle of Mey? Also open for holiday stays, I believe.

[Barsel]

I've never known the full extent of Royal residences and whether they belong to the Royal Family or the state, but why keep all these properties when nobody actually lives in them or who just goes there for a holiday?

[Barsel]

What about the place in France where Edward and Mrs Simpson lived?

[anneasquith]

More money for them . 

[davebro3]

damn savages....

[Canary42]

Plenty of folk have holiday homes, so why not the Royals.

[retrocop]

I'm not sure I care. I have been to Sandringham a few times on security excercises with the Horse guards etc. It's just a large countrey estate like many more in the UK. I can see why the younger Royals may not hold it dearly but I believe our late Queen held some affection for it. Her Father liked it there. Osbourne is spectacular. Beautiful gardens and life sized furnished Wendy Houses.A fantastic Indian state room. Trails down to the beach. I would sooner go to Osbourne as a tourist than Sandringham. As for Balmoral. Forget it. Full of Bitey midges. The Scots can have it.

[Barsel]

Canary, because they go and stay in mansions like Amner Hall which is where the Wales family are for a few weeks, and then it's left unoccupied and costing money to run before it's used again sometime.

 

[DTCwordfan]

Charles and, I believe, Princess Anne have frequently used Mey, William too,  but yes is probably the answer as Charles and Camilla also have Birkhall and Dumfries....

Damn savages is a bit strong - wot?

[Canary42]

Osborne House well worth a visit IMHO - as is The Royal Pavilion in Brighton.

[Barsel]

Here are 30 properties belonging to the Royal Family.

Who pays for the upkeep of them I wonder.

[Barsel]

Sorry, forgot the link.

https://www.veranda.com/luxury-lifestyle/g27044934/royal-family-homes/

[jno]

properties like the Duchy of Cornwall produce a handy income. William will be getting the odd £25m a year from that.

[sandyRoe]

I think I read somewhere that the mansion in Paris where the Duke of Windsor lived was owned by Al Fayed.

[ynnafymmi]

Balmoral Castle is a bonny castle at a bonny location on Royal Deeside.However must be very expensive to run.Could they not let out parts of it when the royals arent there to wealthy holiday makers and make some money back?

[DTCwordfan]

we all do, indirectly or even more indirectly, through the Crown Estates, the Family, the Nat Trust or individual Councils. Imagine if they sold off Osbourne to a Four Seesons Hotel - 'Come and stay in the Old Vic & Al Suite & have 13 children - or at least one'. Can't be Wight, can it?

[davebro3]

As we a are paying for their upkeep anyway they could free up a few of their castles to house a good number of the boat people.

Maybe they would do a bit of gardening?

[andres]

Sandy  @19.43M. Al Fayed did buy the Duke of Windsors mansion in France and turned it into a museum.

[DTCwordfan]

you are taking the proverbial, dave.....gardening??? Maybe boat-building and scamming.

[Barsel]

Andres I wonder if he left provision for it to be maintained, in his will.