The British Royal Family are true jet setters, known for their formal visits and royal tours to countries all over the .
The late Queen Elizabeth was famously the most travelled monarch in history, having visited 110 countries in her lifetime. Although he has quite a way to go before he can compare to his mother, the current King has visited at least 44 out of the 53 Commonwealth nations, as well as many other destinations. The younger Royals are no different, having made appearances all over the globe.
But for a family so often in the limelight, and on official duty, where do they go when they want some time to kick back and relax in private? From the rugged beauty of to the sunny beaches of the Caribbean, these are the places the Royals go for their summer holidays:
Mustique
A favourite retreat of the Cambridges is the luxurious Caribbean island of Mustique. Kate Middleton has reportedly holidayed there with her family since before she tied the knot with Prince William. The couple have been known to attend glamourous parties there alongside stars such as Mick Jagger. In fact, the Duchess of Cambridge loves the area so much she even chose Mustique as the picturesque backdrop for Prince George’s official birthday portrait in 2019.
But the Cambridges are not the first Windsors to seek solace in this paradise - where paparazzi are banned. Princess Margaret once owned a villa, Les Jolies Eaux, perched above Macaroni Beach. This historic royal residence is now available as a private rental, giving others the chance to experience the regal charm of Margaret's beloved hideaway.
Meghan Markle 'to unleash her own memoirs' as Prince Harry's drops next weekIsles of Scilly
In 2021, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took their three children for a getaway to the Isles of Scilly, a picturesque archipelago near Cornwall. But this wasn't their first visit. The previous year, they had enjoyed a stay at Dolphin House, a quaint stone cottage on Tresco with stunning sea views. The car-free environment, tranquil scenery and relaxed pace of life on the islands make it an ideal destination for quality family time and outdoor activities like bike rides and peaceful explorations - which the Royals have been known to love.
Corfu, Greece
King Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall are no strangers to the stunning Greek island of Corfu, often spotted enjoying the sun-soaked paradise in the middle of the Ionian Sea - known for its incredible scenery, vibrant tavernas and bars and vast olive groves. In 2017, the royal couple were seen enjoying a getaway from Royal duties on a glamorous superyacht in one of the island’s beautiful bays and unwinding at a luxurious villa on the mainland.
But Corfu isn’t just a holiday destination for King Charles, it holds sentimental value as well. The island is the birthplace of his father, Prince Philip, who was born there in 1921, adding a personal touch to this idyllic retreat.
Okavango Delta, Botswana
For their third date, Prince Harry reportedly swept Meghan Markle off her feet and all the way to Botswana, specifically Okavango Delta. In their engagement interview with the BBC, Harry reminisced, saying: "We camped out with each other under the stars. We were really by ourselves, which was crucial to me to make sure that we had a chance to get to know each other."
The lovebirds reportedly stayed at Meno A Kwena in the Makgadikgadi National Park, a stunning 3,900sqkm of natural expanse home to hippos, elephants, wildebeest, zebras and other wildlife that lucky visitors can spot on safaris in the area. This camp itself is known for its rustic yet elegant décor - creating a timeless setting perfect for their romantic escape.
The Cotswolds
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, for a short time, found solace in the serene landscapes of Oxfordshire, specifically the Cotswolds, which is known for its rolling hills, quaint stone villages and charming market towns. Although they eventually had to abandon the area later on for security reasons, Prince Harry talks of the place fondly in his book, Spare.
Before she married into the Royal Family, Megan Markle was also known to frequent the luxe private members club Soho Farmhouse in Great Tew. Dotted across the 100 acre grounds is a pub, florist, deli, private cinema, a spa, a boathouse with an indoor and outdoor swimming pool and more - enough to make it something of a small city.
Scottish Highlands
This one won’t be surprising to those who know how fond the Royal Family are, especially the Late Queen, of our very own Scotland. Every summer, Queen Elizabeth would retreat to her beloved Balmoral estate in the Scottish Highlands, where she was often pictured driving her Range Rover or riding horses across the expansive 50,000-acre grounds.
The estate, which boasts a stunning variety of landscapes including mountains, forests, valleys, lochs, and gardens, was also frequented by other members of the family and was often a gathering spot for whole-family get togethers. While Balmoral remains a private residence for the Windsors, the public can visit from April to July, with the option to book cottages on the grounds.