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Palaces & Buildings

A Royal Regency Christmas at Windsor Castle

Are you curious to see how the Royal Family would have celebrated Christmas centuries ago? Windsor Castle has created a beautiful display to show just that in the opulent State Apartments.

The Christmas Display is set up to mimic a Regency era Christmas, between 1811 and 1820.

The State Dining Room will be decorated as if a festive Christmas feast, with the table prepared as if a delicious meal, was about to be enjoyed. The table will use dining pieces from King George IV’s magnificent silver-gilt Grand Service, some of which The Queen still uses today during State Banquets.

The table centrepieces, sculptures of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s beloved dogs: Eos (the Prince’s greyhound), Waldmann (a dachshund), and Cairnach and Islay (both Highland terriers).

Spectacularly decorated Nordmann Fir Christmas trees from Windsor Great Park will sit in St. George’s Hall and in the Crimson Dining Room, amidst the stunning crimson and gold walls and ceiling.

The Octagon Dining Room will be decorated with yew, turning towards the festive approach Queen Charlotte would have taken to prepare for Christmas. Queen Charlotte was the mother of King George IV.

The Grand Staircase will be decorated with garlands, and paintings commissioned by Prince Albert will hang on the walls, offering a true glimpse at what royal Christmases used to be.

Although today the Royal Family prefers to spend the holidays on the Sandringham Estate, during Queen Victoria’s reign, she and Prince Albert, along with their family spent many Christmases at Windsor Castle.

Tickets to the Christmas Display also include a glass of champagne, a copy of the Official Souvenir Guide, and a 20% discount applicable to all Royal Collection Trust shops.

The Windsor Castle Historical Christmas Display is open until 6 January 2016 and tickets are on sale now. The Display is closed on Christmas Day and 26 December.

 

 

 

About author

Jess Ilse is the Assistant Editor at Royal Central. She specialises in the British, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Royal Families and has been following royalty since Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. Jess has provided commentary for media outlets in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Jess works in communications and her debut novel THE MAJESTIC SISTERS will publish in Fall 2024.