The eagle-eyed will be able to spot various portraits of note, including a painting of Eos, Prince Albert’s favourite greyhound, by Sir Edwin Landseer.
Queen Elizabeth II, left, welcomes Liz Truss during an audience at Balmoral, two days before her death.Credit: PA/AP
The Balmoral estate announced on its website: “For the first time since the castle was completed in 1855, we have been granted permission to take you on a private tour with our experienced guides.
“They will take you on a historical journey through several of the beautiful rooms within Balmoral Castle.
“You will learn about the origins of the Castle and how it has been loved by generations of the Royal family.
“Travel through time from the purchase of the Balmoral by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, through to present day, where you can see how rooms within the Castle are used today by their Majesties the King and Queen and other members of the Royal family.
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“You will see why Balmoral is such a special place - the much loved and celebrated Highland home of the Royal family.”
Forty tickets a day will be sold for the “castle interior tour” for £100 ($288), or £150 if afternoon tea is included.
The tours will take place from July 1 until Aug 4, before the King and Queen arrive for their annual break. The season begins later this year due to the refurbishment of the restaurant but if successful, the opening hours will likely be extended in the future.
The tours have already proved popular, with tickets selling fast.
Queen Elizabeth II’s ‘happy place’
Balmoral, which is where Elizabeth died on Sept 8, 2022, was long considered the late Queen’s “happy place”.
The hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped with the royal standard of Scotland leaves Balmoral as it begins its journey to Edinburgh on September 11, 2022.Credit: PA
Nestled in Aberdeenshire’s wet and windy grouse moors, it is where the monarch chose to retreat for the long summer break, walking, riding, shooting and picnicking with the family.
The final photograph of the late Queen greeting Truss in the cosy drawing room just days before she died, is how many now remember her.
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Charles made clear, when he took the reins of the vast royal property portfolio in September 2022, that he wanted to invite more members of the public in, opening the doors of official residences whenever possible.
The following month, St James’ Palace was opened to the public for the first time and the trial proved so successful that it was repeated last year.
Similarly, Buckingham Palace was also made more accessible last winter with a “greatly expanded program” of festive-themed tours.
Balmoral was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852. Victoria later described it as her “dear paradise in the Highlands” and wrote in her diary: “All seemed to breathe freedom and peace and to make one forget the world and its sad turmoils.”
The castle has since remained a firm favourite with her royal successors.
Elizabeth II once said of her summer breaks: “You just hibernate. It is rather nice to hibernate when one leads such a movable life. To be able to sleep in the same bed for six weeks, it is a nice change.”
Prince William has also described the family’s love of Scottish summers, saying: “I’ve been coming to Scotland since I was a small boy. As I grew up, I saw how my grandmother relished every minute she spent here.
“And my father is never happier than when walking among the hills.”