Windsor Castle was founded almost 1,000 years ago by William the Conquerer and has since been occupied by a staggering 39 monarchs.
Her Majesty The Queen has chosen to make this her permanent residence in recent years. This beautiful castle is the oldest and largest occupied, working castle in the world and home to approximately 150 people.
The castle is made up of the State Apartments, and they are often used by The Queen and members of the Royal Family to host official state visits and awards ceremonies to recognise the achievements of British men and women. The most opulent room within the State Apartments is the Grand Reception Room, decorated with beautiful chandeliers and gold walls and ceiling; this was once the main ballroom of the castle.
The State Apartments’ grand entrance, staircase and waterloo chamber were added by King George IV to celebrate the defeat of Napoleon in 1815. He also created a new set of private rooms known as the Semi-State Rooms.
The Semi-State Rooms are romantic and theatrical in design and the most richly decorated rooms in the castle. The Queen currently uses them for official entertaining. These rooms include The Crimson Drawing Room and The Green Drawing Room. The former was the King’s last change to Windsor Castle, and according to the Royal Collection Trust, it was his “last and greatest commission, and one of the most elaborate and expensive interior decoration schemes ever carried out in England.”
A unique feature of Windsor Castle is Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, created by British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens and over 1,500 manufacturers, artists and craftsmen between 1921 and 1924. It was made for the wife of George V, Queen Mary. The dolls’ house is fully furnished. It also has working lifts and hot and cold running water.
St George’s Chapel also stands within the grounds of the castle, featuring exquisite gothic architecture. In 1475, King Edward IV began the chapel’s construction, which still stands today. Ten monarchs have been buried in the tombs of the chapel, including King Henry VIII and his wife Jane Seymour, King Charles I and King George V. It was also the site of recent royal weddings, including that of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Princess Eugenie to Jack Brooksbank.
Regarding the area surrounding the castle, the East Terrace Garden was open to the public on weekends during the summer of 2021 for only the second time in several decades. It was reorganised by the Duke of Edinburgh and has close to 3,5000 rose bushes. A bronze lotus flower fountain in the garden was also designed by the late Duke.
Besides the East Terrace Garden, The Queen also has her own private gardens within the castle grounds.
People can visit the castle throughout the year; from 1 March to 31 October, it is open from 10:00 to 17:15. The Semi-State Rooms are closed from 29 March until autumn.
You can take different types of routes through Windsor Castle for tours depending on what you want to see and from what perspective. Visit the Royal Collection Trust for more information.
