Who owns it? Though official royal residences like Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace are owned by the Crown Estate, which is funded by British taxpayers, Balmoral is the personal property of King Charles III, as is Sandringham, located in Norfolk, England.

As of 2026, Balmoral Castle is the private property of King Charles III. Unlike the royal palaces such as Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle, which are held by the Crown Estate on behalf of the nation, Balmoral is a private estate that has been passed down through the royal family since it was purchased by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria in 1852. Because it is private property, its maintenance and operations are funded personally by the King rather than through the Sovereign Grant (public taxes). In 2026, King Charles has significantly expanded public access to the estate, allowing visitors to tour the internal rooms of the castle for the first time in its history during the summer months. The estate spans approximately 50,000 acres in the Scottish Highlands and remains the Royal Family’s primary summer retreat, though the King has shifted its management focus toward sustainable farming, reforestation, and local Scottish craftsmanship.