The British royals keep very busy schedules for most of the year, but they also find time to vacation.
Kate Middleton,Prince William,King Charles,Queen Camillaand more typically take private vacations between July and August to relax and recharge before the fall, which also includes an annual summer visit to Balmoral, the family's holiday estate in Scotland. During the holidays, they're most likely to be found at Sandringham, where they traditionally spend every Christmas.
As they continue to raise their three children, Prince William and Princess Kate occasionally give the public a glimpse at their family adventures, including spending plenty of time in nature. In 2025, the couple took their kids on aski vacation in the French Alps.
Scroll below to discover where the royals escape for some genuine R&R, both during their annual breaks and throughout the year.
Birkhall at Balmoral
WhileBalmoral Castlein Aberdeenshire, Scotland, is synonymous with the lateQueen Elizabeth's summer retreats, the neighboring Birkhall Estate is lesser-known on royal radars. Queen Victoria's husbandPrince Albertbought the property shortly after he purchased Balmoral (and its 50,000 acre-enclave) in 1852,Country Lifereported.
King Charles inherited Birkhall following the death of his beloved grandmotherQueen Elizabeth, the Queen Motherin 2002, and reportedly honeymooned there with Camilla in 2005. The couple is known to spend summers at the 18th-century home, and Charles was interviewed there for the 2018 documentaryPrince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70.
Highgrove House
Two and a half hours from London is the King and Queen's "family home" in Gloucestershire, England, known as Highgrove House. The property was purchased in 1980 and is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall.
Charles, an ardent gardener, has worked diligently on Highgrove's grounds for four decades, which he designed to "please the eyeand sit in harmony with nature." Since the early 1980s, he has invited groups, schools and charities to tour the gardens, and used the home to host briefings and receptions.
Ray Mill House
Just 15 minutes down the road from Highgrove is Ray Mill House, Queen Camilla's private residence in Wiltshire. According toThe Sun, she purchased the property in 1996 following her divorce fromAndrew Parker Bowlesand lived there until 2003.
Though she has access to Charles'vast portfolio of real estate, Ray Mill House is said to hold a special place in her heart and serve as a favorite gathering place for children and grandchildren.
Fans gota glimpse of the gardensin 2022 when Camilla graced (and guest edited) a special edition ofCountry Life— calling on Kate to take her picture.
Isles of Scilly
Princess Kate and Prince William are known to frequent theIsles of Scillyduring the summer months withPrince George,Princess CharlotteandPrince Louis. The Prince of Wales haslong visitedthe islands off the southwest tip of England and vacationed there as a boy withPrincess Diana, the future King Charles andPrince Harry.
Embracing island energy, William and Kate surprised locals a few summers ago when theybiked around Trescowith their kids!
"William and Kate were riding their bicycles, having a laugh. They looked so happy enjoying the weather. I did do a double-take. They were really friendly and said hello," an onlooker told theDaily Mirror.
During a solo work trip to the Isles of Scilly in May 2024, Prince William reportedly joked, "My family are very upsetI'm here without them," and took home Cornish pastries as a savory souvenir, theDaily Mailsaid.
Anmer Hall
For school breaks, weekends and holidays,Anmer Hallin Norfolk is another favorite escape for the Wales family. Prince William and Princess Kate received the country home on the Sandringham Estate as a wedding present fromQueen Elizabethin 2011.
Princess Kate is said to feelmost at homeat Amner Hall, and the family isolated there during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beaches of Norfolk
Anmer Hall is close to the beaches of north Norfolk, where the Waleses enjoy outings and boating.
In June 2024, the photo that the Prince and Princess of Wales released ofWilliam with their kidsfor Father's Day was taken (by Kate!) in the area.
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Jordan
It's a little-known fact that Katelived in Jordan as a childfor a few years with her family, perhaps inspiring a vacation there decades later. Kate and William revealed that they took George, Charlotte and Louis to Jordan with the release of their 2021Christmas card, and sharedanother shotof the prince with his kids on the following Father's Day.
William, George, Charlotte and Louis looked relaxed in casual clothes with wide smiles, and Louis even playfully sat on his dad's shoulders.
Botswana
Prince Harry holds Botswana dear as a true refuge and focus oflongstanding conservation work, so it was only natural that he invitedMeghan Marklethere while they dated in 2016.
"I managed to persuade her to come and join me in Botswana. We camped out with each other under the stars. She came and joined me for five days out there, which was absolutely fantastic," Harry said in theirengagement interviewwith the BBC in November 2017.
The prince even chose a diamond from Botswana for the center gem of Meghan'sthree-stone engagement ring, which is hugged by two smaller diamonds from Princess Diana's personal collection — a piece Meghan has called "perfect."
Fans got an intimate glimpse of the couple's trip to Botswana — which doubled as theirthird date— in the Netflix seriesHarry & Meghan, which debuted in December 2022.
The Mediterranean
Prince Harry and Meghan tied the knot in May 2018, and he revealed their honeymoon location in his memoirSpare.
"Our honeymoon was a closely guarded secret. We left London in a car disguised as a removals van, the windows covered with cardboard, and went to the Mediterranean for ten days. Glorious to be away, on the sea, in the sun," Prince Harry wrote in his 2023 memoir.
Saint-Tropez
Princess BeatriceandEdoardo Mapelli Mozziwere spotted inSaint-Tropezlast summer, marking a return to a favorite getaway. France is a special spot for the couple, who honeymooned there.
After Beatrice and Edotied the knotin 2020,a source told PEOPLEthat the newlyweds had a "small honeymoon in France" with a "longer, more luxurious honeymoon" planned.
Portugal
On a July 2023 episode of her podcastTea Talks with the Duchess and Sarah,Sarah Fergusonrevealed thatPrincess Eugeniewas in Portugal with her sonsAugustandErnest, who she shares with her husband,Jack Brooksbank.
In 2022, Jackstarted a new jobthat called for the family to split time between the U.K. and Portugal. The trip might have marked a milestone for Ernest, who wasborn that May— the first stamp in his passport for his first trip abroad.
Mustique
Princess Margaretfound a haven in Mustique when her marriage to Anthony Armstrong-Jones turned turbulent in the 1970s. Queen Elizabeth's younger sister was gifted a 10-acre parcel of land on the private Caribbean island and built a vacation home, christenedLes Jolies Eaux— French for "the beautiful waters."
According toMarie Claire, Margaret made the space her second home for nearly 30 years, and she put the island on the map as a glamorous getaway. She went on to gift the villa to her son David Armstrong-Jones as a wedding present in the 1990s, and he eventually sold it. Today, Les Jolies Eaux isavailable to rent.
The Caribbean
Princess Diana was known to love visiting the Caribbean, from Richard Branson's privateNecker Islandto Nevis (where she's pictured splashing here in 1993).
Balmoral Castle
Queen Elizabeth had the keys to many royal residences, but none quite so special as Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands. The royal family has owned the hideaway since 1845, andPrince Philipchose it to propose.
Balmoral was truly the Queen's summer sanctuary and shetraditionally spentevery August there. Family and friends convened at the castle and made the most of the grounds with hunting, fishing, horseback riding, picnics and hikes.
Queen Elizabeth died at Balmoral at age 96 on Sept. 8, 2022, and King Charles iscontinuing her traditionof spending some of the summer there.
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