Royal vacation
This is where Charles and the royal family relax
King Charles (middle) has just treated himself to a hiking holiday in Romania.
© MIHAI BARBU/AFP via Getty Images
Their downtime is rare, but the royals also go on vacation. King Charles, Prince William and Co. are drawn to these places.
The exciting days of the coronation are behind him, now King Charles III. (74) Vacation granted: Five days of hiking in Romania were on the program. There, photographers photographed the British monarch in a relaxed manner with a walking stick, binoculars and a short-sleeved leisure shirt. The pictures were taken in early June in the village of Valea Zalanului, where, according to media reports, Charles owns private property. The king owns several properties in Romania and he regularly enjoys time off here, which he uses to hike, read and paint. Apart from official trips, the royals also regularly vacation in these places.
Scotland
Charles also enjoys a lot of nature when he goes on vacation at home. Each year he visits Dumfries House, a manor house in Scotland, and the Castle of Mey, a Scottish castle formerly owned by his grandmother, Queen Mum (1900-2002). Both residences are managed by organizations associated with the royals.
The late Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) always spent her summer breaks in the Scottish Highlands spending time with her family and caring for her dogs and horses. Her retreat was Balmoral Castle and the surrounding estate in Aberdeenshire.
Charles also has his retreat on the property: Birkhall. In the past According to the Daily Mail, Charles became there often seen with his two sons Prince William (40) and Prince Harry (38). Among other things, they are said to have been spotted fly fishing.
Prince William is now bringing his own family with him. The heir to the throne, his wife Princess Kate (41) and their children Prince George (9), Princess Charlotte (8) and Prince Louis (5) have also paid visits to Balmoral.
Greece
King Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla (75), are also drawn south from time to time. You are said to love the blue waters and warmth of Corfu on summer holidays. Charles’ father, Prince Philip (1921-2021), was born on the Greek island. When Charles and Camilla relax there, they are said to always stay at the luxurious Rothschild villa in Kerasia. Dubbed the “Kensington Summer Palace,” the mansion was also a favorite spot of Princess Diana (1961-1997).
Isles of Scilly
The Isles of Scilly, a group of islands off the south-western tip of England, are also a popular holiday destination for the royals. There are said to be some of the most beautiful beaches in Britain. Charles and Diana vacationed on Tresco in 1989 with their two sons, William and Harry. William later visited the island several times with his wife Kate and the children. The members of the royal family seem to like staying at Dolphin House, a property just a few meters from the sea.
Botswana
Meanwhile, special memories connect Prince Harry and his wife Duchess Meghan (41) with Botswana. In an interview with the BBC on their engagement in November 2017, Harry recalled how he “convinced” Meghan to fly to the African country. And this for only their third date. They spent five romantic days camping under the stars. A year later, the two are said to have repeated their trip.
Kenya
There was also a special moment in Africa for William and Kate. The two got engaged in 2010 in a secluded cottage on the shore of Lake Rutundu, where the couple had previously vacationed. For their honeymoon in 2011, they then chose a slightly more luxurious location. They traveled to the Seychelles, where they reportedly stayed at the most exclusive and expensive holiday resort.
Mustique
Princess Kate is also considered a big fan of the Caribbean island of Mustique. The British press once referred to her as the “Queen of Mustique”, a title previously granted to Queen Elizabeth’s sister Princess Margaret (1930-2002). She owned a plot of land and a villa on the island. Kate is said to have been vacationing with her parents on Mustique before she met William. Meanwhile, the eldest son of the heir to the throne, Prince George, is said to have celebrated some of his birthdays there.
The Bahamas
William and Kate are also said to have enjoyed themselves in the Bahamas at a luxury resort on Paradise Island. The Bahamas probably hold many fond childhood memories for William. It was a favorite holiday destination of Princess Diana, particularly after her split from Charles in 1992, and she often took William and Harry on trips there.