The late Queen enjoyed time at many royal properties during her life, from the Royal Lodge at Windsor to Clarence House and Buckingham Palace in London. However, there was one residence in the Scottish countryside that she loved and her son has revealed why she spent her last days there.

While opening the new Scottish Parliament, King Charles III suggested the Queen “chose” to spend her last days at Balmoral Castle, despite previously worrying that her death at the estate could cause logistical difficulties.

The estate is the private property of the Monarch and is, as Charles said, a “uniquely special place” for the Royal Family.

It was a well-known fact that the late Queen loved spending time at the Scottish Estate and spent most of her summers there from the time she was a child, throughout her marriage and reign.

“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,” the King said.

During his speech, the Monarch added that the Royal Deeside residence was “uniquely special place” for the Royal Family while he expounded on the connection between the Scotts and his family.

“Speaking from a personal perspective, Scotland has always had a uniquely special place in the hearts of my family and myself,” he said.

The Scottish Highlands also brought out the Windsor’s love of tartan and many photos have shown the Windsor family over the years dressed in kilts while spending their summer in the north.

It was at Balmoral where the late Queen and her family could “act as normal people—to a point,” according to royal photographer Lord Lichfield, and where she even washed dishes after mealtimes.

Prince Philip also relished the time away from royal duties and embraced his gift for barbeque cooking on the estate’s grounds and even perfecting spaghetti bolognese in the Scottish Highlands.

The castle became part of the royal estate in the 19th century when Prince Albert purchased the property for his wife Queen Victoria in 1852 after he originally leased the property in 1848.

When Queen Victoria died in 1901, it was passed on to her first son, King Edward IV, as per her will instructions and then to each of his successors which most recently includes King Charles III.