King Charles and Queen Camilla are offering a rare romantic opportunity for the public: the chance to enjoy an intimate Valentine's dinner within the historic walls of Balmoral Castle. The royal couple has decided to open the Aberdeenshire estate's restaurant for two exclusive evenings next month, providing a uniquely regal setting for loved-up couples.
A Truly Exclusive Dining Experience
The ‘intimate and elegant’ meals will be held on February 13 and 14, with a strictly limited number of guests. Only 32 couples per evening will secure a place, meaning just 64 spaces are available in total. Bookings operate on a first-come, first-served basis and are predicted to sell out rapidly, following the pattern of previous Balmoral public offerings which have seen tickets snapped up in record time.
For £45 per person, or £90 per couple, guests will be welcomed with a complimentary glass of champagne. The menu has been thoughtfully curated to showcase the finest local and estate-sourced produce, promising a memorable culinary experience in a breathtaking setting.
The Royal Estate Menu
The highlight of the menu is the Highland beef, sourced from cattle reared close to the estate by local farmer Grace Noble. This exceptional produce, for which Balmoral is renowned, will be a centrepiece of the meal. The full offering is a celebration of Scottish flavours and includes:
- Plum tomato and flat-cap mushrooms.
- Watercress salad.
- Vegetable Wellington.
- Hand-cut chips and onion rings.
- Garlic bread.
- Desserts of strawberry cheesecake, lemon meringue tart, and raspberry sorbet.
Balmoral's Growing Public Access
This Valentine's initiative continues a trend of increased public access to the private royal residence. In 2024, new tours of the castle's interior rooms sold out in a single day, despite a price tag of £100 or £150 with afternoon tea. A second tranche of tours later in the year also sold out quickly after a price increase.
Those guided tours allowed visitors to see rooms used by generations of the Royal Family, from Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to the current King and Queen. The estate also hosted premium ‘an evening at Balmoral’ events, featuring a seven-course tasting menu with paired wines and live music inspired by the late Queen Elizabeth II's favourite rooms.
Balmoral holds a special place in royal history. Purchased for £32,000 by Prince Albert in 1852, it became the beloved Scottish holiday home for the monarchy. It was where Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-reigning monarch, died in September 2022 and was famously her favourite retreat, where she enjoyed walks, picnics, and barbecues on the sprawling estate.
The King and Queen's latest move to open the castle for Valentine's follows their recent appearance at nearby Crathie Kirk. Furthermore, in a sign of forward planning, tickets for general castle visits in spring and summer 2026 are already available to book online, indicating a sustained commitment to welcoming the public to this iconic royal landmark.
