Balmoral Castle forced to closed | Royal | News

Balmoral Castle, King Charles’ favorite winter residence, will be closed today and tomorrow due to harsh winter conditions and an active weather warning. This means potential visitors will be turned away and encouraged not to visit during harsh winter weather.

The notice was published on Balmoral Castle’s Instagram page, informing visitors about the closure. It said: Balmoral will remain closed to the public today (Saturday, January 3) due to winter weather conditions and an active weather warning. Balmoral will remain closed to the public on Sunday, January 4. Sunday lunch reservation deposits will be fully refunded.

“For the latest opening information, please follow our Facebook and Instagram pages or visit balmoralcastle.com. Take care and stay safe.”

Although Balmoral Castle is one of the King’s favorite residences, the monarch is currently thought to be spending time at Sandringham in Norfolk, where he spends the festive period, celebrating with his family and attending church on Christmas Day.

King Charles started 2026 with the extremely difficult decision to close his beloved Scottish home. Aberdeenshire Met Office, where Balmoral Castle is located, currently has a yellow weather warning in place and will remain in place until Monday.

The statement reads: “Frequent and heavy snowfall will result in further snow and ice accumulation, which may cause disruptions and delays in travel. Snowfalls are expected to continue throughout the weekend and reach inland areas due to strong northerly winds. Winds will ease slightly by Sunday and showers will become widespread along the coast by then.”

“Snowfall will finally begin to taper off Monday morning. With inland temperatures likely remaining below freezing throughout the weekend, snow is not expected to melt.”

Visitors are encouraged to check Balmoral Castle’s website for the latest information.