Will Balmoral Castle Host Weddings? King Charles III Just Filed Plans to Remodel the Beloved Royal Estate for Events

After watching Kate Middleton say “I do” to Prince William on April 29, 2011, or witnessing Meghan Markle and Prince Harry tie the knot seven years later in 2018, you may dream of having your own royal wedding. And while such an occasion may not be feasible without actually being (or marrying) a member of the British royal family (sorry!), recent moves by King Charles III had us all wondering if it might soon be possible to tie the knot at one of the most beloved royal estates: Balmoral Castle. According to multiple news outlets, the king just submitted plans with the Aberdeenshire Council to turn the Queen’s Building, one of the properties on the Scottish estate, into a venue for meetings and other events. With improvements and changes to the layout, the building would be able to accommodate 277 people inside and 144 people outside—which sounds like more than enough room for a wedding. Despite early media speculation, however, the estate shut down whispers of weddings at Balmoral. Per the BBC, the castle will not facilitate couples' nuptials despite Charles' plans, which involve allowing live music and alcohol consumption past midnight.

Wedding venue questions aside, this isn't the first change the monarch proposed making to the family’s residence. Earlier this year, Charles opened Balmoral to the public for the first time in over 170 years. Tickets for the first guided tours, priced between 100 and 150 pounds, sold out within 24 hours of going on sale, The Guardian reported. With a large amount of public interest in the estate, it’s a shame weddings aren't in the cards—big-day bookings for the Queen’s Building would be just as competitive. Ultimately, the king's decision to hold non-wedding events at Balmoral may be part of a strategy to help lower some of the costs associated with running the estate for the royal family. The residence comes with a high price tag, costing approximately four million pounds a year to operate. Charles’ recent launch of ticket sales has reduced some of those fees, generating 500,000 pounds from 75,000 visitors, The Telegraph reported. 

The estate also has a rich history of romance. In 1852, Prince Albert purchased the property for his beloved Queen Victoria, cementing its place in the British royal family. Queen Elizabeth II took a special interest in the Scottish castle, spending much of her time there from an early age. Old photos show a young Elizabeth sandwiched between her grandfather King George V and her grandmother Queen Mary in a carriage at Balmoral. And in 1946, Prince Philip proposed to Elizabeth following a month-long vacation at Balmoral with her family. Even after the births of her children, the Queen continued spending time at the residence, reportedly even hosting barbecues for heads of state on the grounds. Even Charles and Princess Diana also shared a romantic moment at Balmoral: Following their wedding, they embarked on a two-week honeymoon, ending their travels with a stay at the castle. 

Before her passing, the Queen typically traveled to Balmoral in late July and remained there until October, People reported. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren visited her at the residence up until her passing, with Kate and William bringing Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis to the castle in the summer of 2022. Ultimately, it was also the place of her death on September 8, 2022. The final portrait of the Elizabeth was taken in the drawing room at Balmoral.