King Charles has shunned staying in a luxury castle with Prince William and Princess Kate as the monarch has been spending time in a smaller property, according to new claims.
The King, 75, has spent most of his time on holiday in Scotland at his own home, Birkhall, and is not sleeping at Balmoral Castle with the rest of the Royal Family.
The cancer-hit king is spending his days at his Scottish manor with Queen Camilla by his side, painting and tending to his beloved gardens, a source told The Daily Beast.
The source said: “The King is sleeping a lot. He is not one to sit around doing nothing, so relaxing for him takes the form of reading, writing, painting, and gardening.
He has always loved throwing on his wellies and getting out in the garden, that’s his happy place.”
It is understood the King received cancer treatment when he was in London last week.
Birkhall is within the Balmoral Estate, and was formerly the retreat of the late Queen Mother, who was gifted the property by her husband, the future King George VI, in 1930.
It first came into royal hands when Prince Albert bought the Balmoral Estate in 1852.
Upon the Queen Mother’s death, the 12-bedroom property reverted to the Crown and was handed to Charles by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Birkhall is understood to be cherished by Charles because it offers a more private and intimate setting than Balmoral.
It was in the grounds of Birkhall that Charles soothed himself by picking mushrooms when his mother died.
Although the King participated in a traditional formal welcome to Balmoral Castle last week, he has continued to base himself at Birkhall.
Meanwhile, other royals, including Prince William and Kate, have been made welcome at “the big house,” as Balmoral Castle is commonly known.
According to reports, the King and Prince William shared an intimate dinner a Birkhall in September 2022 after the death of the Queen.
This strategy prevented either of them from having to see Prince Harry who arrived at Balmoral separately from and after the main royal party.
The move cemented Birkhall’s status as the King’s refuge and sanctuary.
