"Good Lord," I muttered, imagining the endless woodlands and fields.
He continued, "What makes Sandringham unique is that it's privately owned by the royal family. Unlike Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle, it's financed and maintained from their own pockets."
"Why is that?" I asked.
"Because it's personal property, bought by Queen Victoria. And it's run as a working estate, meaning it generates income through farming, forestry, property rentals, and tourism. Visitors like us help keep the lights on, so to speak."
"Speaking of Windsor," I said, "I've been there, but never to Balmoral. How do they compare?"
"Ah, now there's a tale," he said, his eyes lighting up. "Windsor Castle is owned by the Crown, not the family. It's an official residence, used for state banquets and ceremonies, and sits on just 5,25 hectares. Balmoral, on the other hand, is another private estate, much like Sandringham but far bigger---20,200 hectares."
I almost choked on my tea. "Twenty thousand hectares? That's absurd."
"It is," he agreed, "but think of it this way: Bukittinggi in West Sumatra is around 2,500 hectares. Balmoral could fit eight Bukittinggis inside it. It's a working estate, too, with farming, timber, and even holiday rentals. But it's mainly a summer retreat for the royals."
"And the other royal estates?" I asked.
