The estate and its original castle were bought from the Farquharson family in 1852 by Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. Soon afterwards the house was found to be too small and the current Balmoral Castle was commissioned. The architect was William Smith of Aberdeen, and his designs were amended by Prince Albert. Balmoral remains the private property of the monarch and is not part of the Crown Estate. It was the summer residence of Queen Elizabeth II, who died there on 8 September 2022.
The estate and its original castle were bought from the Farquharson family in 1852 by Prince Albert the husband of Queen Victoria Soon afterwards the house was found to be too small and the current Balmoral Castle was commissioned The architect was William Smith of Aberdeen and his designs were amended by Prince Albert Balmoral remains the private property of the monarch and is not part of the Crown Estate It was the summer residence of Queen Elizabeth II who died there on 8 September 2022