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As the summer school holidays begin, the Prince and Princess of Wales are enjoying quality time with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Like past years, the family of five will be traveling to Balmoral Castle in Scotland for part of their summer break. Balmoral has long been a treasured royal retreat and holds special meaning for the royal family. This year's visit also carries extra significance as it allows Princess Catherine to reflect on her fond early memories with Queen Elizabeth at the castle.
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Balmoral is considered one of Queen Elizabeth II's favorite royal residences. More than just a country house, it symbolizes cherished family memories and deep ties to Scotland. The estate plays an important role in the royal family's tradition of spending part of the summer holidays there. In keeping with this tradition, King Charles invited the Wales family to visit Balmoral this year. Stepping foot on the historic grounds once more stirred emotions of nostalgia and gratitude in Catherine.
From her first visits to Balmoral as Catherine Middleton dating Prince William, Queen Elizabeth made the princess feel welcome and at home. During those early days as she was integrating into the royal family, the Queen took time to share stories and offer guidance, imparting wisdom from her lifetime of service. Catherine recalled these gentle moments of mentorship fondly. Even after her marriage to William and gaining the title of Duchess of Cambridge, the Queen continued welcoming Catherine and making her feel part of the family during visits to Balmoral.
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These acts of generosity and thoughtfulness exemplified the Queen's caring nature, especially toward her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Despite having 11 great-grandchildren at the time of her death with another on the way, she always made each child feel special during visits. Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis have been delighted by the little gifts left in their rooms by their beloved "Gan Gan." Whether at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, or Balmoral, this tradition showed the Queen's love for her family.
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In a previous interview, Catherine reflected on the Queen's excitement upon the birth of Charlotte, remarking that she was "really thrilled that it was a little girl." As with all of her great-grandchildren, the Queen took interest in each milestone and achievement. She thought highly of Charlotte's protective personality toward her older brother George from a young age. These caring gestures and interactions demonstrated the close bond between the late Queen Elizabeth and her royal descendants.
Catherine's return to Balmoral this summer was bittersweet, as she remembered Queen Elizabeth's meaningful presence that once permeated the halls. Walking those same grounds brought poignant memories of the comfort and stability the Queen provided. While her loss is still felt deeply, Catherine finds solace knowing she can pass on the values of family, duty, and service that Queen Elizabeth instilled for generations to come.
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Catherine's relationship with Balmoral began well before her title of Princess of Wales. Her first visit was in the early days of dating Prince William, when she was still known as Kate Middleton. The Queen welcoming her then demonstrated the budding fondness and trust between them. This gesture held rare significance, foreshadowing Catherine's permanent place within the royal family.
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The Wales family aims to uphold the beloved traditions of past kingships while carving their own path. Though their summer at Balmoral carries the echoes of family members no longer present, the ties that make the estate so special live on through shared experiences with future generations. Even amidst his family's holiday, Prince William paused to promote an important cause through social media. By highlighting the London Air Ambulance's fundraising success, he honored his commitment to supporting emergency response services so close to both his and the late Queen's hearts. The Wales family's time at Balmoral this summer pays tribute to cherished royal customs of the past while building new memories to nourish their promising future.
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