Would you pay £150 for tea and a tour at Balmoral?

The last picture of the late Queen Elizabeth II was taken in the castle's drawing room

New private tours costing up to £150 will give visitors the chance to see parts of Balmoral Castle for the first time.

The castle, in the heart of Royal Deeside, has been a Scottish holiday home for the Royal Family for decades.

It will host guided tours from 1 July until 4 August, before King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive for their summer break in Aberdeenshire.

Balmoral has been one of the Royal Family's residences since 1852, when it was bought by Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband.

The famous castle is in Royal Deeside

The current Balmoral Castle was commissioned after the house was found to be too small.

The new castle - which is a category A listed building - was completed in 1856 and the old building was demolished shortly afterwards.

It was a beloved holiday home for Queen Elizabeth, who died at Balmoral, aged 96, in September 2022, after reigning for 70 years.

Balmoral was the Queen's Scottish holiday home for decades

Balmoral Castle said this was the first time that private interior room tours were being offered.

A ticket costs £100 per person, or £150 with the addition of afternoon tea. Each tour is restricted to a group of 10 people.

Photography will not be allowed within the castle and its ballroom.

The Queen and Prince Philip spent many holidays at Balmoral

Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace announced it will open its East Wing to the public for the first time this summer.

Tours will include the central balcony, where the Royal Family has gathered for public appearances since 1851.

The tours - costing £75 for adults - will run daily from 15 July to 31 August 31.

The Royal Family's link with Balmoral goes back generations