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August is here, and for the British royal family, that means heading to Balmoral Castle. This year, however, King Charles III’s niece, Zara Tindall, may not make it to Aberdeenshire, Scotland, to close out the summer. The reason? A potential scheduling conflict. But the king’s prepared to change the schedule around so the Tindalls don’t miss one of the royal family’s Balmoral traditions. 

Zara Tindall’s Balmoral scheduling conflict 

According to Express, Zara, 43, who is a professional equestrian, may compete at the Wellington International Horse Trials from Aug. 24-26, 2024, after submitting an application. 

That same weekend, the royal family is planning their annual church service at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral Castle. King Charles is said to be eager to have Zara, 43, and her husband, Mike Tindall, as well as their children, Mia, Lena, and Lucas, in Scotland—so much so that he may change things around to accommodate his niece’s potential scheduling conflict. 

King Charles “really wants Zara and the family to join him on the last Sunday in August for the bank holiday service,” an insider said. “But he understands that her horse competitions are extremely important to her.” 

King Charles wants the Tindalls to go to Scotland sooner than planned

Mike and Zara Tindall, for whom King Charles may change the Balmoral schedule for, with their daughters,
Mike Tindall, Zara Tindall, and their daughters | Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

A Tindall family trip to Balmoral with fellow British royals isn’t entirely out of the question. The king’s hoping they’ll come to Scotland sooner than originally planned to catch up with the rest of the family.  

“Charles is hoping that they will be able to come up the week earlier to muck in with the rest of the family,” the source said. That way, “everyone can enjoy the picnics and walks planned on the estate.”

“Mia, Lena, and Lucas get on amazingly well with George, Charlotte, and Louis,” they added in reference to the Tindall kids and Prince William and Kate Middleton’s own. “There will be lots of children there this year, so they are planning a mixture of adult and junior events to keep everyone entertained.” 

Also at Balmoral will be the king’s sister (and Zara’s mom), Princess Anne, as well as her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. Prince Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, are also expected to spend time at Balmoral. 

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their two children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, however, won’t be there. They reportedly haven’t been invited.

The royals are having a Balmoral ‘summit’ to discuss the monarchy’s future

King Charles and Zara Tindall, for whom the king may change the Balmoral schedule for this summer, hug
King Charles III and Zara Tindall | Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Balmoral won’t be an entirely work-free zone. Sources told the outlet members of the royal family plan to discuss the monarchy’s next 10 years and how it will look without the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. 

The “summit” agenda is likely to include a variety of “key issues.” Examples include public perception, succession, and key royals’ roles. 

The meeting comes at a time when the number of working royals is especially low. The king is still slowly amping up appearances after returning to public duties in late April 2024 following his February 2024 cancer diagnosis and treatment, which is ongoing. 

The Princess of Wales, who was also diagnosed with cancer this year, is still largely out of the public eye as her own treatment continues. 

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