BALMORAL EXHIBITS QUEEN'S CLOTHES

THE QUEEN HAS LOANED SOME OF THE CLOTHES SHE WEARS AT BALMORAL INCLUDING A QUILTED COUNTRY JACKET, TWEED SKIRT, PLAIN LEATHER SHOES AND A HEADSCARF FOR AN EXHIBITION ON THE ROYAL ESTATE. THE IDES CAME FROM HER STAFF ON THE ESTATE WHO HAVE PUT TOGETHER THE EXHIBITION WHICH SHOWS THE 'THREE LIVES OF BALMORAL'. THE EXHIBITION COVERS BALMORAL'S ROLE AS A WILDLIFE HAVEN AND WORKING ESTATE, VISITOR ATTRACTION AND PRIVATE RETREAT OF THE ROYAL FAMILY. THE EXHIBITION ALSO FEATURES A RARE CHANCE TO SEE A FILM OF THE PRIVATE CEREMONY THAT GREETS THE QUEEN WHEN SHE ARRIVES AT BALMORAL EVERY SUMMER AS WELL AS MANIKINS OF SOME OF THE STAFF'S UNIFORMS SUCH AS THOSE OF THE ROYAL CHEF, FOOTMAN AND PAGE. BALMORAL, A 50,000 ACRE ESTATE OF HEATHER-COVERED HILLS, FORESTS AND RIVERS, HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PLACE OF ROYAL REFUGE. BUT IN ITS ROLE AS A TOURIST ATTRACTION, IT IS OFTEN THE MORE FORMAL SIDE OF THE QUEEN THAT THE PUBLIC SEE THERE. IN FACT LAST YEAR THE MOST NOTABLE OTHER ROYAL CLOTHES ON DISPLAY AT BALMORAL WERE IN THE CASTLE BALLROOM, THE LARGEST ROOM IN THE CASTLE, WHEN A COLLECTION OF ROYAL DRESSES BELONGING TO THE QUEEN WENT ON DISPLAY. THE QUEEN'S CLOTHES WILL HELP DRAW VISITORS WHO WILL HAVE TO PAY UP TO 50% MORE THIS YEAR TO VISIT BALMORAL. THE ADULT PRICE WILL BE £8.50; STUDENTS, UNWAGED AND PENSIONERS WILL BE £7.50 WHILE CHILDREN WILL BE £4.50. BALMORAL SAYS IT IS THE FIRST TIME IN THREE YEARS THAT IT HAS INCREASED PRICES. THE ESTATE IS MAINLY OPEN BETWEEN APRIL TO THE END OF JULY BEFORE THE ROYAL FAMILY ARRIVE FOR THEIR SUMMER BREAK. BALMORAL HAS BEEN THE SCOTTISH HOME OF THE ROYAL FAMILY SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED BY QUEEN VICTORIA IN 1852.