By reputation and referral

The Inner Circle

Ten destinations chosen for genuine rarity: the private islands, estates and resorts where royal families and reigning houses actually spend their holidays. Access is often by referral, charter or a waiting list measured in years.

Princess Margaret's private island, since 1958

Mustique

The island that answers to no one

St. Vincent & the Grenadines · December to April

Where the Prince and Princess of Wales honeymooned, 2011

North Island

Eleven villas, one granite island

Seychelles · April to October

The British royal family's winter resort since the 1970s

Klosters

The mountain the royals never left

Switzerland · December to early April

The sovereign's summer estate since 1852

Royal Deeside & Balmoral

Where the monarch actually summers

Scotland · May to September

The Yorks' chalet and a generation of royal winters

Verbier

Serious skiing, quiet ownership

Switzerland · December to April

Home of the Grimaldi court since 1297

Monaco

The reigning house on the harbour wall

Principality of Monaco · April to October

The summer anchorage of the House of Savoy's world

Portofino

One harbour, no room for error

Italy · May to September

Birthplace of Prince Philip; the Greek royals' island

Corfu

The Ionian's royal summer

Greece · May to October

The private island where the Obamas kitesurfed

Necker Island

Seventy-four acres, take it or leave it

British Virgin Islands · December to May

The winter court of Gulf royalty and European houses

Courchevel 1850

The highest village, the deepest discretion

France · December to April