One of King Charles's most renowned royal residences has temporarily closed its doors due to extreme weather conditions.
Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, announced on August 4 that it would be closed as Storm Floris moves through the region.
“Balmoral will be closed to the public today, Monday 4th August, due to Storm Floris. Please do not travel to the Estate. We will be issuing refunds for tickets to visit today,” read a statement shared on Instagram. “Stay safe everyone.”
The Met Office issued amber and yellow wind warnings for the area. “Storm Floris will bring a spell of unusually strong west or northwesterly winds to much of Scotland during Monday,” the amber warning stated.
Royal Family residence forced to close just days before King Charles’s stay as warning issued
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“Gusts of 50 to 70 mph are expected for many parts, and are likely to reach 80 to 90 mph on some exposed coasts, hills and bridges.”
Balmoral has served as the Royal Family's summer retreat since Queen Victoria’s reign.
King Charles, 76, has continued the late Queen Elizabeth II’s tradition of spending part of the summer in Scotland.
The closure on August 4 meant visitors missed one of the final days to explore the estate before it shuts for the season on August 10 — potentially indicating when the royal family might begin their annual summer stay.
Since April 1, visitors have been able to tour Balmoral’s gardens, grounds and exhibitions with tickets, but the open season is scheduled to end next Sunday.
King Charles has already been in Scotland for at least a week. On July 28, he made an appearance at a reception for Caithness Communities in Thurso, not far from another of his Scottish residences.
That event took place just half an hour from the Castle of Mey, which has been closed to the public from July 24 to August 8 — a possible sign that the King is staying there.
The Castle of Mey, inherited by his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, in 2002, is a smaller and more recent addition to the royal estate.
Balmoral Castle is located among the Scottish Highlands | PALATEST ROYAL NEWS:
The King is understood to see the summer trip as a 'happy' stay in Balmoral Castle | GETTYThe monarch was also seen in the area on August 2, attending the 2025 Mey Highland Games in John O'Groats.
The King’s presence at both events suggests he is easing into his summer break in Scotland while still fulfilling select duties.
His annual retreat to Balmoral has long been a moment of personal significance, offering a rare period of rest away from the public eye.
As the estate prepares to close its gates to visitors, all eyes will be on whether other members of the Royal Family join him in the Highlands in the coming days.