Queen to make Balmoral second home if widowed
She plans to spend more time in Scotland
‘She’s a different person up there’
THE Queen is planning to spend more time at Balmoral if she loses her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Royal sources say discreet moves are being made for the Aberdeenshire retreat to become t he monarch’s second home if Prince Philip passes away before her.
She feels most relaxed and happy in Scotland, they say, and has expressed a wish to spend more time north of the Border if she is widowed.
The Duke, who is 94, has had several health scares in recent years. In December 2011, he had a heart stent fitted for a blocked artery. He has also spent time in hospital for bladder infections and underwent exploratory stomach surgery two years ago.
But he is currently in good health and continues to carry out official engagements, despite indicating that he would scale back following his 90th birthday.
The Queen, who turns 90 next year, spends two months during the summer with her family at Balmoral but feels she could spend more time there.
She understands she no longer needs to be based at Buckingham Palace and can be just as effective as head of state in Scotland, as in London.
Prince Charles, Princess Anne and the Duke of Cambridge are carrying out more investitures at Buckingham Palace. Prince William has also increased his overseas visits since the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh decided to stop long-haul travelling.
A source told a Sunday newspaper: ‘There is a feeling that if the Duke of Edinburgh passed away, her preference would be to spend more time in Scotland.
‘The discussion has been that if he goes before her, that would be her wish.
‘She loves Scotland, it has always been a great comfort to her, where she is happiest and most relaxed. She’s a different person up there.
‘At Balmoral she feels she doesn’t have to be a caricature of a queen.
‘Everyone will play it by ear but the feeling is the Scottish plan will be what she wants to do.’
At the moment the Queen spends around six months of the year at Buck- ingham Palace, taking weekends and her annual Easter break at Windsor Castle. She moves to Sandringham, in Norfolk, over Christmas, while summer is spent at Balmoral.
Her private office and household staff all go with her when she moves and work on a rota, so she is never without support wherever she goes.
While at Balmoral, the Queen treats her stay as a working holiday – ploughing through her red boxes every day and also hosting visiting politicians, including the Prime Minister who visits every September.
The source added: ‘ Her court operates anywhere – when she moves to a different residence, everyone moves with her. The Queen is very aware that you can be head of state anywhere these days.
‘She knows you can look through a red box, have an audience and host a reception anywhere.’
Balmoral has been a favoured home of the Royal Family since the estate was bought for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852, having been first leased in 1848. The category A listed castle remains privately owned by the Queen and is not publicly funded.
Earlier this month, the Queen became Britain’s longest serving monarch, beating Queen Victoria’s record of 63 years and seven months.
A palace spokesman declined to comment.