Queen Elizabeth’s Former Aide Reveals What Monarch Did Every Night When She Slept at Balmoral After Being ‘Caged’ at Buckingham Palace

Former Employee of Queen Elizabeth Shares Insight into Monarch's Summer Routine at Balmoral Castle

Every year, the royal family bids farewell to their city residences and heads to the picturesque Scottish countryside for their summer vacation.

Recently, a former employee who accompanied Queen Elizabeth II on these trips shed light on what the late monarch used to do every night during her stays at Balmoral Castle.

Paul Burrell, famously known as Princess Diana's butler from 1987 until her untimely death in 1997, had the opportunity to work closely with Queen Elizabeth during his time as one of her personal footmen.

Speaking on behalf of Slingo, Burrell discussed how Scotland provided a sense of liberation for the royals after feeling confined in their London homes throughout most of the year.

Burrell explained that once the garden parties at Buckingham Palace concluded and Queen Elizabeth completed her customary week-long stay at the Palace of Holyrood House in Scotland (her official Scottish residence), it signaled the beginning of the summer holidays.

He reminisced about how the season used to commence with a cruise on the Royal Britannia, sailing around Land's End, through the Irish Sea, and along the Western Isles of Scotland before arriving in Aberdeen.

From there, the queen and the royal family would proceed to Balmoral for their summer retreat.

However, Burrell lamented that this tradition no longer takes place.

Reflecting on those days, Burrell stated, “They were the golden days when we just sailed around the British Isles into Scotland to go to Balmoral.

Now, of course, things are very different.

Things are evolving and moving on as they should, and the king will be going on his summer holidays.

He adores Scotland…

I think Scotland, with its vastness, beauty, and openness, provides a release for the royal family after a year of confinement.”

In addition to revealing the significance of the Scottish getaway, Burrell disclosed an interesting detail about Queen Elizabeth's nightly routine at Balmoral.

She had a unique habit of never closing her bedroom windows during her stay.

According to Burrell, this was because she cherished the frugal way of life and appreciated the untouched ambiance of the castle, which had remained largely unchanged since Queen Victoria's time, a century prior.

The queen relished the fresh air from the highlands that filled her room each night.

“For the period between August and early October, she would never close her bedroom windows,” Burrell revealed.

“She would sleep surrounded by numerous sheets, blankets, covers, and eiderdowns, resembling the tale of ‘The Princess and the Pea.'

Sometimes, it was quite challenging to locate her within that vast array of bedding, as the room could be extremely cold, especially in Aberdeenshire during October.”

It is evident that Balmoral provided Queen Elizabeth with a sense of tranquility and respite from the demands of her royal duties.

Her open windows symbolized her appreciation for simplicity and her connection to the natural beauty of Scotland's highlands.

As the royal family continues to adapt and embrace new traditions, the allure of Balmoral Castle remains an integral part of their summer escapades.