It's been a long, harsh winter, particularly for those in Balmoral in Scotland, as the region has been hit by weeks of snowfall. This extreme weather has now caused a dramatic bridge collapse on King Charles' 50,000-acre estate. The incident has cut off access via the Glen Muick car park and a photo of it has left members of the public shocked.
The Balmoral Instagram team shared an update on Instagram on Monday, and it read: "Unfortunately, due to a high volume of snowmelt, the road at the Spittal of Glen Muick car park has collapsed and undermined the bridge.
"The bridge is now closed to both vehicles and pedestrians. We will begin repair work as soon as possible."
"Unfortunately, due to a high volume of snowmelt, the road at the Spittal of Glen Muick car park has collapsed and undermined the bridge."
The image alongside the notice showed that the tarmac connecting the wooden bridge has been significantly eroded. Traffic cones have been placed on the bridge to ensure no one uses it.
Royal fans were left dismayed by the incident, sharing astonished face emojis as well as prayer emojis. One wrote: "Stay safe!" and another added: "Ah no, what a shame."
Loch Muick is a popular tourist spot and has 4.8 stars on TripAdvisor. Reviews have branded it "stunning" and "amazing", and many visitors have reported seeing incredible wildlife, including a Golden Eagle. Parking at the picturesque site costs just £5.
© Bettmann ArchiveKing Charles' big change at Balmoral
The castle was first acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1852, and it is where the royal family spend their summers at Balmoral, enjoying the great outdoors at leisure. Their sojourn includes pastimes such as fishing, hiking, horse riding and picnicking.
Since taking over from his mother as the head of the British monarchy, Charles has opened the doors of his private home, Balmoral to visitors.
© AFP Photo/Millie Pilkington/Buckingham PalaceThe house team run exclusive private tours, where guests can see a selection of rooms within the Castle that are still used by the royals today.
Danielle Stacey, Best Quality Designer Handbag 's Online Royal Correspondent, previously explained why King Charles may have made the unexpected decision to open up the royal family's private residence to the public.
"I understand that the King has very much wanted to make many of the royal residences more accessible to the public, especially ones that are not in use all year round.
© Alamy Stock Photo"It's one of His Majesty's many moves to make the monarchy more transparent, especially in the time of a cost-of-living crisis. It's been widely reported that he wants to transform the likes of Sandringham, Balmoral, Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace from 'private spaces to public places'.
"Typically, the royal family spend their summer break in August at Balmoral, so visitors will get a glimpse of their Scottish quarters before they arrive," said Danielle.
Charles' love for Scotland
© Getty ImagesIn 2024, Charles made a speech to mark 25 years of the Scottish Parliament. He said: "Speaking from a personal perspective, Scotland has always had a uniquely special place in the hearts of my family and myself," adding that his "beloved grandmother was proudly Scottish."
"My late mother especially treasured the time spent at Balmoral"
He also added: "My late mother especially treasured the time spent at Balmoral, and it was there, in the most beloved of places, where she chose to spend her final days."
