Royal aides despair that Covid-secure quarters in Balmoral are like ‘Colditz prison camp’

Don’t wish you were here: Royal aides despair that Covid-secure quarters in Balmoral are like ‘Colditz prison camp’

  • ‘Stir-crazy’ aides are preparing Balmoral for the Queen and Prince Philip’s arrival
  • They have been banned from socialising to protect the royals from coronavirus
  • The Queen and Prince Philip are expected within days and will stay for 12 weeks 

Royal aides are despairing that their Covid-secure sleeping quarters in Balmoral are like a ‘Colditz prison camp’.

A group of servants have travelled up to the Scottish home of the Royal Family ahead of the Queen and Prince Philip’s arrival this summer.

The hand-picked team of aides are in a two-week quarantine as they prepare the castle and some have found conditions wanting.

Staff have been banned from social activity and the annual Ghillies Ball has also been cancelled due to coronavirus.

Royal aides are despairing that their Covid-secure sleeping quarters in Balmoral, the Royal residence in Scotland, are like a ‘Colditz prison camp’

An insider said ‘stir-crazy’ aides are staying in the New Block, a dull granite building with a dozen bedrooms outside near the castle.

The insider said: ‘Without all the normal facilities which make a stay pleasant for staff, everyone’s saying it’s like being in Colditz, the prisoner of war camp.

‘It’s the assignment from hell because there is absolutely nothing people can do.

‘The social club remains shut and the staff bar closed. With so little to do they’re going stir-crazy.’

The Queen, 94, and Prince Philip, 99, are expected at the Balmoral within days and will stay for 12 weeks

The Queen, 94, and Prince Philip, 99, are expected at the Balmoral within days and will stay for 12 weeks

The insider told The Sun aides are unable leave the castle grounds to visit local shops and pubs.

Three chefs, footmen, housemaids, pages and under-butlers are among the staff already currently residing at Balmoral.

Her Majesty, 94, and Philip, 99, are expected at the residence within days and will stay for 12 weeks.