LIVING LIKE KINGS
Inside Royals’ most lavish holidays… £1bn yacht, £54k island breaks & Will & Kate’s Ibiza party villa & ‘smelly’ mudbath
William even tried out his unique DJ patter on his party break
FROM stately homes and palaces to opulent lifestyles, few can compete with the British royal family when it comes to luxury.
And their holidays are no exception.
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This week, it was reported that Prince and Princess of Wales would join King Charles, Queen Camilla and other Royals at their traditional summer retreat in Balmoral.
The destination has been one of their most popular UK holiday hotspots for decades and the late Queen Elizabeth II was particularly fond of the Scottish residence.
While they own beautiful properties around the country, it is their getaways abroad to breathtaking destinations that set tongues wagging.
From private islands with an eye-watering bill to romantic trips and parties with A-list superstars, these vacations .
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Here, we take a look at The Firm's most magnificent holidays.
Ibiza party prince
Before becoming the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate embarked on some wild adventures.
In 2006, the couple were invited to stay with Kate's uncle, Gary Goldsmith, at his £6.5million villa, which has been dubbed La Maison de Bang Bang.
The home has a jacuzzi, sauna, eternity pool, outside gym and tennis court.
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William and Kate were also seen relaxing on a luxurious yacht while soaking up the sun.
Speaking about the trip, Gary - Kate's mum Carole's younger brother - said: "Carole asked if the family and Prince William could use it [the villa]. We organised a whole itinerary for them, including going over to a neighbouring island on a boat.
Inside Kate Middleton's summer at Balmoral
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"They got mud baths and they were all rolling in the healing muds, which they thought was great fun although it was particularly smelly.
"Carole told me afterwards that they all had a brilliant time. The house is very relaxing and it's very, very secure. You've got walls all the way around, so it's very difficult for people to pry on you."
In another interview, Gary also admitted that William tried his hands at DJing.
When it was mentioned to the future king that he would need something to say when he drops a good track, Gary says William suggested: "The King is in the house."
Mustique affair
Located in the Caribbean archipelago nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, this island has been a preferred choice for the royals for decades now.
Stretching over 1,400 gorgeous acres, the private island is characterised by its clear blue waters, white sandy beaches, and incredible villas, which can cost up to £121,000 a week.
It was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip - they visited three times in 1966, 1977, and 1985.
The Queen's sister, Princess Margaret, was also a big fan of the island. She even had a house on it and was attracted to its exclusivity.
While on holiday in Mustique in 1976, Princess Margaret and lover Roddy Llewellyn were pictured embracing in the waves, exposing their controversial affair.
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Decades later, in 2019, William and Kate celebrated Prince George's sixth birthday on the island.
They are said to have splashed a whopping £27,000 a week on the luxury pad - a total of £54,000 for their two week stay.
Their accommodation had an infinity pool, lush decor and a private staff.
They enjoyed gorgeous views of the ocean and meals cooked by a private chef.
Jamaica spa break
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The Half Moon Resort in Jamaica has seen many royal guests, including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Phillip, King Charles, and Prince Harry.
The stunning villa is said to be the largest spa oasis in the country and has an 18-hole championship golf course, an equestrian centre and access to a breathtaking beach.
Heads of state from the US, such as President John F. Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline and George H. W. Bush, have all enjoyed stays at the resort.
In 2012, Prince Harry stayed in the villa while in Jamaica to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. It's been reported that he chose one of the five-bedroom villas in the resort.
Spanish yacht
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In 2015, Princess Beatrice was spotted on former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's £1billion superyacht off the Spanish coast.
The royal was seen with her then-boyfriend Dave Clark on board the ship. According to Mail Online, it was her 17th holiday in a little over eight months.
The couple were taken to another yacht, where they are thought to have been invited for drinks by American talk show queen Oprah Winfrey.
They were joined by Gayle King, Oprah’s best friend, and Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company.
The group were pictured on the Rising Sun, which reportedly boasts a wine cellar, private cinema and basketball court.
Botswana safari
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have visited Botswana several times, with their 2017 trip being particularly notable.
The country holds special significance for the couple, as they even spent time there early in their relationship.
In 2017, the couple stayed at the luxurious Meno a Kwena camp, located on the banks of the Boteti River. The camp offers a unique blend of adventure and luxury, with tented suites that provide stunning views of the river and wildlife.
The camp offers exclusive safaris, private game drives and personalised experiences like bush dinners under the stars.
Botswana’s unspoiled wilderness and Meno a Kwena's commitment to privacy made it an idyllic retreat.
Stays at luxury camps in Botswana, like Meno a Kwena, can cost up to £1,500 per night while private safaris and excursions incur additional costs.
Majorca meet up
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In 1986, King Charles, his wife, Princess Diana, and their sons William and Harry were invited by the Spanish royal family for a vacation at Majorca.
One of the highlights of the holiday was the use of the royal yacht, Fortuna, owned by the Spanish royal family.
The yacht offered all the amenities that you would expect on a royal vessel, including elegant dining areas, sun decks and private cabins.
Charles and Diana stayed at Marivent Palace which features multiple grand rooms, sprawling gardens and private access to the beach.
It provided a secluded environment where the royals could relax without the constant scrutiny of the media.
King of Corfu
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Charles and Camilla have a soft spot for Corfu in Greece, which is where the King's father, Prince Phillip, was born in 1921.
In 2018, he said: "Apart from anything else, Greece is in my blood and I have long had a fascination for her ancient culture and history, not to mention the fact that I have been so fortunate to have visited some of Greece’s many beautiful and unique places."
While in Corfu, they are said to favour the luxurious Rothschild Villa in Kerasia. It has an outdoor summer pool and is surrounded by lush plants.
They have also visited surrounding areas on a yacht.
According to Express, the couple were seen chatting with Greek shipping magnate Theodore Angelopoulos and his wife Gianna whilst cruising onboard OKTO in 2017.
In 2019, Camilla flew to the island to celebrate her birthday. It has been reported that Prince Edward and his wife Sophie once stayed there for two weeks.
Verbier chalet
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Prince Andrew, his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and their two daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, have frequently vacationed in Verbier, a high-end ski resort in the Swiss Alps.
In fact, they even purchased a luxurious £17million chalet there, which they later sold in 2020.
Verbier is known for its world-class skiing, high-end boutiques, and Michelin-starred restaurants.
The royal couple’s former property, Chalet Helora, boasts seven bedrooms, stunning views of the mountains, an indoor swimming pool, sauna and staff quarters.
The resort offers private ski instructors, gourmet dining and exclusive après-ski experiences. Verbier is a favourite among the wealthy and celebrities, ensuring a blend of luxury and privacy.
Renting similar luxury chalets in Verbier can cost up to £100,000 per week during peak season.
Austrian slopes
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Mike Tindall and his wife Zara shared a video of themselves on social media last year enjoying a ski break in Austria.
The clip showed a village covered in snow and dozens of alpine trees in the background. Mike and Zara also shared an adorable selfie of themselves on his Instagram page.
Previously, Mike shared how he and his wife like spending time during their ski trips.
Speaking to the Telegraph, he said: "Zara and I aren't about getting up ridiculously early, so we hit the lift at 9am, ski until 12.30 and then have a nice long leisurely lunch."
He also said they like to alternate between skiing and snowboarding and added: "I think when you go skiing, you have to buy into the après so it has to be lively for me.
"There is such a unique atmosphere in ski resorts that it's all about having fun once you get off the mountain and, as a couple, we embrace that."
Seychelles luxury
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The Seychelles in East Africa is as luxurious as it gets when it comes to holidays. With clear blue waters and white sands, it is the epitome of paradise for the rich and famous.
In August 2007, before William and Kate were married, they stayed at Desroches Island Lodge.
After they tied the knot, they returned and honeymooned at North Island, one of four privately owned islands in the country.
The island has also been a favourite for A-list couples including George and Amal Clooney and Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault.
North Island has just 11 villas with nature at its core. The couple are said to have engaged in some in-villa spa treatments to relax after the Royal wedding.
According to travel guides for the destination, a luxurious double bedroom can cost up to £17,646 per person for seven nights, while a standard room can cost up to £7,000.
French Riviera
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Prince Edward and his wife Sophie enjoy both business and holiday trips to the French Riviera.
Known for its glamorous lifestyle and stunning coastline, it has been historically known as a playground for the rich and famous.
In 2006, the couple travelled there to celebrate the cultural links between Wales and France. Queen Victoria was also fond of the destination after the death of her husband, Prince Albert.
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The Riviera, particularly areas like Cannes and Saint-Tropez, offers luxury at every turn, from five-star hotels like the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc to private yacht charters.
The couple often stay in exclusive villas with private pools and gardens which range from £20,000 to £100,000 per week, depending on the location and amenities.
Balmoral Castle
BALMORAL Castle is a large estate house in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, near the village of Crathie.
The vast property is situated 6.2 miles west of Ballater and 6.8 miles east of Braemar.
The estate and castle are privately owned by the Royal Family and are not the property of the Crown.
The existing house on site was found to be too small, so the royals purchased the estate in 1852.
In its place, the construction of the current Balmoral Castle was commissioned.
William Smith of Aberdeen was the architect, although his designs were amended by Prince Albert.
Historic Scotland classified the castle as a category A listed building.
The new castle was completed in 1856, with the old castle demolished shortly thereafter.
Successive Royal Family members added to the Balmoral Estate, and it now covers an area of approximately 50,000 acres.
As well as the main castle, there are 150 other buildings on the estate, including Birkhall, the estate of King Charles, Craigowan Lodge, and several other cottages.
Balmoral is a working estate, including grouse moors, forestry, and farmland, as well as managed herds of deer, Highland cattle, and ponies.
Since 1987, an illustration of the castle has been featured on the reverse side of £100 notes issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland.
The crimson-coloured notes are the largest denomination of banknotes issued by The Royal Bank of Scotland and are still in production.