A NEW tourist attraction has opened at the royal home where Queen Elizabeth spent her final hours.
King Charles’ Scottish-themed maze at Balmoral – only the second royal maze in 300 years – has finally opened, with trees sprouting several meters skyward.
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It even has a mini castle tower – in the same granite stone as the nearby castle – at its center, so people can really be king or queen of a little Balmoral.
In the shape of a thistle, the maze was built in front of the castle, near the iconic Garden Cottage, on a 50,000-acre plot of land. It opened without real fanfare.
The progress of the enterprise, overseen by gardener Charles, was opened just in time for the expected visit in a few weeks from the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children Charlotte, Louis and George.
The gates leading into the maze have also been changed to reflect the initials of King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The king funded the labyrinth at his private retreat in Scotland, where Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022.
However, it is not believed to be a personal tribute to his late mother – but rather an additional attraction at Balmoral, which relies on visitors to help pay around half of its running costs.
The maze is shown on maps given to visitors and trees and shrubs were previously collected near the site for planting last year.
It is the second maze Charles has been involved in.
At Dumfries House in Ayrshire, he created the first real maze in three centuries.
The then Prince’s Foundation, now the King’s Foundation – which is based in the mansion Charles saved for the nation – took on the project eight years ago.
Inspired by memories of his childhood, Charles wanted to create the green puzzle north of the border.
He instructed gardeners to build the 6-foot-tall maze and personally supervised the project.
The hedge puzzle even has a Japanese-style pagoda for reflection in the center, as well as obelisks and statues.
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Charles was inspired by his childhood in a maze in Sandringham, which was removed many decades ago.
He identified a perfect spot, 500 meters from the main house. The prince then asked Fife garden designer Michael Innes to develop a plan.
The project involved a 50 meter diameter yew maze, with tall plants to create immediate impact. There are over 1,093 yards of coverage in total.
Balmoral Gardens were begun in the 19th century under the supervision of Prince Albert and have been expanded and improved by successive members of the Royal Family – and now by Charles.
A notice previously displayed at Balmoral stated: “His Majesty the King has plans to develop the gardens. Work on the Thistle Maze has begun.
Inside Queen’s final days at Balmoral
The Queen spent her final days at Balmoral having fun with her family, reading the Racing Post and watching TV with the team.
Her Majesty passed away in September 2022 at the Royal Retreat, where she spent many happy summers with her beloved Philip.
She spent her last hours with her family, in the place where she felt most comfortable.
The Queen would spend three months every summer at the Scottish castle and “take off her shoes” and relax.
This 50,000-acre estate beside the River Dee in the Scottish Highlands is where she could be a mother and a wife – a world away from life as the most famous woman on the planet.
She arrived at Balmoral for the last time on July 23, 2022 – her second summer without Prince Philip.
She flew in a private helicopter and was expected to stay until October to take a break from royal duties.
“A series of herbaceous borders will also encourage pollinators and increase seasonal interest for visitors.”
The castle gardens were first opened to the public in 1931, for one day a year, under the Scottish Gardens Scheme.
Charles extended Balmoral’s public season, as well as opening up part of the castle’s interior for the first time.
Royal author Robert Hardman said he had predicted King Charles would open Balmoral, where his mother died on September 8, 2022.
Mr. Hardman, in his seminal book ‘Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story’ said: “Balmoral is privately owned. However, it needs public support not just to help pay the bills, but to bring benefits to the wider community and to remain in line with other stately homes.
“Both critics and supporters of the monarchy have long complained that the castle is only open for a few months in the spring and early summer.
“Even so, the public only has access to the ballroom and the stables.
“Why not offer them a good view in the main internal rooms all year round, as long as the family is not in the house?
“After all, the King and Queen are much happier living in Birkhall, the Queen Mother’s former home, when they are here.”
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