Whether it’s speaking German at a banquet in Berlin, wearing a grass skirt in the Pacific, or demonstrating traditional Caribbean dance steps, royal tours rarely lack variety.
So perhaps it’s understandable that the royal family prefers predictability when it comes to their own vacation destinations, returning to the same places year after year.
The late Queen famously escaped to the Scottish Highlands over the summer holidays to spend time with her family, dogs and horses.
The tranquil island of Tresco in the Scillies is another royal favourite. Prince William, who visited as a child, is now taking his own family there.
From seaside excursions to wildlife safaris, here are some of the destinations where you can catch a glimpse of the kings at play.
balmoral
The 50,000-acre Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire was purchased by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1852 and has served as a haven for the royal family ever since.
The Balmoral Estate in Aberdeenshire, Scotland is set in 50,000 acres of stunning countryside
Balmoral was bought by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1852. Victoria is pictured at Balmoral with daughter, Princess Louise, and her servant, John Brown
Queen Elizabeth is pictured with Prince Philip and their young children, Princess Anne and Prince Charles, outside Balmoral in 1952
The family at Balmoral in 1955, where Princess Anne is playing with the Queen’s Corgi, Sugar. The Duke of Edinburgh’s dog, Candy, looks up at the Queen as she strolls around the grounds
A number of royal couples have honeymooned at the estate, including Charles and Diana – pictured on their honeymoon on the River Dee in 1981
In the 2016 documentary Our Queen at Ninety, Princess Eugenie said of Balmoral, “It’s the most beautiful place on earth.” I think Grandma is happiest there. I think she really, really loves the Highlands.”
She added, “Walks, picnics, dogs — lots of dogs, there’s always dogs — and people coming in and out all the time.”
“It’s a nice base for grandma and grandpa, we can visit them up there where there’s just room to breathe and walk.”
Many newly minted royal couples have chosen to stay at the castle for their honeymoon. Prince Charles and Diana were seen in romantic snaps by the River Dee after their wedding in 1981.
Charles also decided to travel to Scotland after marrying Queen Camilla. The couple stayed at their beloved Birkhall retreat on the estate.
In recent years, Charles has often been spotted there with his two sons, William and Harry, sometimes teaching them how to fly fish.
More recently, Prince William has taken his own family to Balmoral, even visiting them in the summer before the Queen’s death last year.
Kerasia, Corfu, Greece
The new king and queen love the blue waters and warm sunshine of Corfu for their summer vacation.
The destination is particularly important to the king, whose father, Prince Philip, was born on the island.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are known to stay at the luxurious Rothschild villa in Kerasia during their visit to Corfu
With spectacular views over the Ionian Sea and set amongst olive groves, the villa is the ideal secluded retreat for the royal couple
Corfu is special to the king as his father, Prince Philip, was born on the island
In 2017, Charles and Camilla were also spotted aboard OKTO, the superyacht owned by Greek shipowner Theodore Angelopoulos and his wife Gianna
Camilla wore a floaty white dress while Charles opted for a smart shirt and white shorts aboard the superyacht
He once said: “Greece is in my blood and I have long been fascinated by its ancient culture and history.”
The rich and powerful regularly flock to the area, with visitors including David Cameron and Rupert Murdoch.
Whenever Charles and Camilla visit the island, they are known to stay at the luxurious Rothschild villa in Kerasia.
With its spectacular views of the Ionian Sea and set amongst olive groves, it is the ideal secluded retreat for the royal couple.
The mansion, which has since been dubbed “Kensington Summer Palace,” was also a favorite spot of Princess Diana.
In 2017, Charles and Camilla were also spotted aboard OKTO, the superyacht owned by Greek shipowner Theodore Angelopoulos and his wife Gianna, moored in a Corfu port.
Tresco, Isles of Scilly
Also known as the ‘Cornish Caribbean’, the Isles of Scilly lie 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall and boast some of Britain’s finest beaches.
The island of Tresco is the most famous of the islands, where the blue of the sea is always on display and children can be seen crabbing on the idyllic beaches.
As part of the Duchy of Cornwall, the island has long carried the Royal Seal of Approval.
Prince William vacationed in Tresco in 1989 with his parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, and his brother, Prince Harry
He visited the island with Kate in 2016. Pictures show the couple boarding a boat to St Martins after visiting Tresco Abbey Gardens
King Charles and Queen Camilla have visited the Isles of Scilly on several occasions. They are pictured together on St. Mary’s Island in 2021
Prince William vacationed in Tresco in 1989 with his parents Prince Charles and Princess Diana, and brother Prince Harry, and the family was filmed heading out for a bike ride.
He also visited the island with Kate in 2016. Pictures show the couple boarding a boat to St Martins after visiting Tresco Abbey Gardens.
Since then, William has traveled to the stunning abode with his own family, staying at the Dolphin House where he had stayed with his parents decades earlier.
The property is just meters from the sea, which would have allowed Kate and William to go to the beach with bucket and spade with George, Charlotte and Louis.
In 2020, the family took a bike ride around the car-free island and were spotted smiling and chatting with residents.
They revisited the country the following year as the coronavirus pandemic prevented them from traveling further afield.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have frequently visited the Isles of Scilly and Camilla celebrated her 71st birthday on the Isles of St Mary’s and St Martin’s.
Botswana
The South African country holds special memories for Prince Harry, where he spent his third date with Meghan Markle.
In an interview with the BBC after their engagement in November 2017, Harry recalled how he “convinced” Meghan to fly to Botswana to join him on a trip – while revealing that they shared five romantic days camping among the stars had spent.
“I think it was three, maybe four weeks.” [after their first date] that I managed to persuade her to come to Botswana with me,” he said at the time.
“And we camped together under the stars, we hung out, she came and joined me out there for five days, which was absolutely amazing.”
To celebrate Meghan’s 36th birthday and their first year together, Harry surprised her with a trip to Botswana.
The Mail on Sunday reported that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were staying at the exclusive tented bush camp Meno a Kwena and one of the first sights that greeted them was a herd of zebras appearing outside their luxury tent.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared a picture of the couple attaching a satellite collar to a bull elephant in Botswana on their Instagram account
Harry and Meghan stayed at the exclusive tented bush camp Meno a Kwena in Botswana
Harry first visited Botswana when he was just 13, two months after the death of his mother Diana. Pictured, he is about to help plant a tree during a royal tour in 2019
In return, on Harry’s 35th birthday, Meghan commemorated their camping trip to Botswana, where they first “fell in love” in the garden of Frogmore Cottage.
“It’s a place that means so much to them – and Harry in particular – so Meghan wanted to bring him that happy place on his day so she set up a tent, got sleeping bags, cooked dinner and recreated Botswana where they fell .” Love,” a royal insider told People.
Harry first visited Botswana when he was just 13, two months after the death of his mother Diana.
He has since referred to it as his “home away from home” and has been involved in conservation efforts in the country by working with the organization Rhino Conservation Botswana.
- List of royal destinations compiled by Igloo Cruise