Another of the Queen's private homes, Sandringham House in Norfolk has been owned by the Monarchy for four generations.
The Queen takes up residence at Sandringham during December and remains until February, during which time the entire family is invited to join the Royal Christmas celebrations.
Like Balmoral, Sandringham is a commercial estate offering employment to 100 staff from the local community. Originally bought for the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, in 1862, the house was of solid Georgian structure but was later rebuilt and, despite a serious fire in 1891, expanded to accommodate the Princes' growing family.
Subsequent members of the Royal family have found Sandringham to be the perfect holiday retreat and it was on the estate that King George VI, The Queen's father, died in 1952.
The estate covers over 600 acres of woodland and heath and has two camping and caravan club sites within its boundaries. A variety of craft fairs and country shows are also hosted on the estate throughout the year.
When members of the Royal family are not in residence, Sandringham House is open to the public.
St. James' Palace
Although many believe that Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the Sovereign, it is, in fact, the lesser known St. James' Palace. Official letters are addressed to St. James' Palace and ambassadors are still formally accredited to the Court of St. James.
Situated in central London, the palace was built by King Henry VIII on the site of St. James' Hospital. Whilst much of the original red-brick building still remains, the succession of kings and queens that have made it their home over the past 300 years have made various structural changes.
Often used for official functions, St. James' Palace has been the setting for some of very important events in Royal history. It was there that Mary Tudor signed the treaty surrendering Calais and it was from St. James' Palace that Elizabeth I set out to address her troops at Tilbury during the threat of an invasion by the Spanish Armada. Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in the Chapel Royal within the palace in 1840. The chapel remains an active place of worship for the Royal family today.
The Palace is now the London residence of Anne, The Princess Royal, and Princess Alexandra.