Balmoral: Inside the Royal summer retreat at the centre of latest Epstein Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor investigation

Detectives are investigating the time Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell spent at the King’s private estate in Scotland.

Police Scotland said it had received “information” and a probe is at a “very early stage” into the time the disgraced royal spent with the late paedophile financier at Balmoral.

Pictures previously released by the Department of Justice in the US appear to show Andrew and Epstein on a shooting trip at Balmoral.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We have received information and active inquiries are ongoing, but these are at a very early stage.

“All inquiries are evidence-led, with the needs of victim survivors at the heart of those inquiries.

“We would never confirm details of ongoing inquiries and it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

The former Duke of York was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on February 19, his 66th birthday, following allegations he shared sensitive information with Epstein during his time as the UK’s trade envoy.

Andrew was interviewed under caution before being released under investigation, and denies wrongdoing, with the police probe ongoing.

Where is Balmoral?

Balmoral is a private royal castle and working estate located in the Scottish Highlands, on the south bank of the River Dee in Aberdeenshire.

A map of Balmoral:

The estate covers around 50,000 acres. In comparison, Central Park in New York is an estimated 840 acres, meaning Balmoral is roughly 60 times that size.

Within the land are forests, grouse moors, deer hills, farmland, the River Dee - one of Scotland’s most revered salmon rivers - and more than 150 outbuildings and cottages scattered across the grounds.

Balmoral is built in the Scottish Baronial style, meaning it features towers, turrets and a famous 80-foot clock tower. The imposing castle has been constructed entirely from local quarried granite, giving it its distinctive grey colour.

The interiors are designed in a Victorian style and include tartan carpets, plaid upholstery, antler mounts, thistle carvings and paintings of the Highland landscape cover almost every wall.

What is Balmoral’s history?

The land Balmoral is situated on was home to a small castle since at least the 14th century, and had passed through generations of Scottish noble families.

A series of English leaseholders improved the grounds in the early 1800s, making them what they are now.

In the summer of 1842, Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert travelled to Scotland for the first time and were reportedly in awe of the castle, the clean air surrounding and the silence of the Highlands.

Six years later in 1848, the Queen and Albert began renting out the Balmoral estate for their summer holidays. Four years later, in 1852, Albert bought Balmoral for around £32,000 (approximately £5.5million in today’s money), reportedly as a gift for his wife.

The existing castle was too small for a royal household that travelled with a plethora of servants and staff, so Albert commissioned a new one with Scottish architect William Smith.

The new castle was finished in 1856, and is the building that stands in Balmoral today, while the old castle which was situated nearby was demolished.

Queen Victoria laid the foundation stone herself in September 1853, sealing coins and a signed parchment underneath it, and called the finished castle “this dear paradise”.

Albert had plans to build a number of additional properties on the Balmoral estate, but died in 1861 before the works could begin.

Queen Victoria carried out his vision, commissioning numerous cottages - including a garden cottage for the children, Karim Cottage for her secretary Abdul Karim, and Baile na Coille for her servant, John Brown.

After Albert’s death, Victoria returned to Balmoral for long stretches of time every year as the Highlands provided an optimum place to grieve in private.

Every monarch since has kept the tradition alive. Queen Elizabeth II first visited Balmoral as a young princess and never stopped for the 70 years to come.

Who lives in Balmoral?

Currently, no members of the royal family actually live in Balmoral all year around. It’s used as a private seasonal retreat.

A dedicated team of staff and local employees live and work on the estate year-round in an effort to manage the grounds, forestry and running operations.

Why is Balmoral important to the royal family?

The Balmoral estate provides a retreat for the royal family, who typically head north from August to October to enjoy the summer months in private.

It has also become a place of profound personal history for the family. Prince Philip proposed to a then Princess Elizabeth at Balmoral during the summer of 1946.

It is also where Queen Elizabeth II spent her final days before she died in September 2022, and was said to be her favourite place and one where she felt most like herself.

What does the royal family do at Balmoral?

The Balmoral stay follows a loose but recognisable structure, and is built around a free traditions that have been longstanding since the Victorian era.

The most public engagement is the Braemar Gathering, the annual Highland Games held on the first Saturday of September in the nearby village of Braemar.

Events include the caber toss, hammer throw, tug of war and foot races. Royal attendance has been continuous since Queen Victoria first arrived in 1848.

King Charles, who holds the Scottish title Duke of Rothesay, attends every year, typically dressed in a kilt and seated in the royal box next to Queen Camilla.

Inside the castle, the Ghillies Ball is another yearly tradition first started by Queen Victoria, organised to thank the estate’s staff for their hard work.

The family also attends a Sunday service at Crathie Kirk, a small Church of Scotland parish church near the castle gates, and have done so since Queen Victoria went to Balmoral.

Can the public visit Balmoral?

Yes, the public are able to visit Balmoral. Under King Charles’ reign, the estate has begun to evolve and is more open to members of the public.

Limited tours now allow visitors inside the main castle to visit the library, study, dining room and drawing room for the first time in history.

Estate walks are also available, and general admission to the grounds is free in November once the royal fxamily return to their year-round homes.