It was originally purchased by Prince Albert, not the Queen, meaning no income from the estate flows into the public purse or Parliament. Balmoral, along with Sandringham House in Norfolk, was inherited by Edward VIII on his accession to the throne. After his abdication, he retained ownership of the property, but a financial settlement was reached under which Balmoral and Sandringham House were purchased by Edward's brother and heir to the throne, George VI.
Currently, the estate is still owned by the royal family but managed by trustees.
