Prince Charles discusses his nature work in Highgrove in 2021

From Windsor Castle to Balmoral in Scotland, King Charles has a number of homes across the country, but there are some properties that rival even the Royal Families’ properties.

Cowes on the Isle of Wight is home to Cowes Castle, built by Henry VIII in 1539 as part of his network of coastal defences to defend England. Today the town is a popular sailing, cycling and walking destination.

Alongside the artillery castle at East Cowes, Cowes Cslt was used to defend the mouth of the River Medina and Newport Harbour until it was used as a prison from 1649 to 1653.

It later became a private house in 1716 where it was remodelled and most of the original building demolished.

In 1858, the castle was bought by the Royal Yacht Squadron, who remain at the castle today.

Read more… The seaside town worlds away from Princess Kate and William’s nearby mansion

Throughout her reign, Queen Elizabeth II was a patron of the squadron while her late husband, Prince Philip was an admiral for the club.

Following her death last year, the club paid tribute to her “unstinting support” and gave a 21-gun salute to mark her passing.

Every year the town and castle become the home of sailing during Cowes Week, one of the oldest regattas in the world, being held every year since 1826.

Prince Philips’s presence at the event helped put the occasion on the map with crowds gathering knowing he was in attendance.

Around 5,000 competitors now take part in the event with over 60,000 visitors descending on the town, including some more royal faces as Princess Anne regularly attends the event.

Aside from the castle and sailing club the town is home to a pedestrianised High Street full of shops, art galleries and boutiques.

Bars and restaurants are plenty as reports suggest the town could have more per square mile than any other town in the UK.

Alongside Cowes Week, it is also home to the famous ‘Round the Island Race’ starts and finishes here, Little Britain challenge, Food shows, the Isle of Wight Literary Festival and many more.

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Sailing isn’t the only royal connection close by as Cowes Castle is ten miles from Osbourne House, the former royal residence built for Queen Victoria.

After first visiting the house, Queen Victoria wrote: “It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot”.

As one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island guests have the opportunity to view the private apartments of the royal, the Swiss Cottage built for the royal children, the Victorian Walled Garden and the extensive grounds surrounding the house.

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