Upon his 74th birthday, His Majesty The King earned a new role, The Ranger of Windsor Great Park. A title that runs in the family, it’s been 70 years since his father, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was appointed.
The role offers oversight and guidance to Deputy Ranger and his team during day-to-day stewardship duties on one of the country’s oldest landed estates. The role itself dates back to 1559 when Sir Henry Neville was appointed during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
Since its creation, the post of Ranger has been held by sovereigns and other Royal Family members, including The King’s father, the Duke of Edinburgh, and his grandfather, King George VI. Other notable Rangers include William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, who held the role from 1746 to 1766, and Queen Victoria, who held the position alongside her husband, Prince Albert, the Prince Consort from 1837 to 1841, and 1841 to 1861.
Paul Sedgwick, The Crown Estate’s Managing Director, Rural and Deputy Ranger of Windsor Great Park, said:
“We are honoured to have His Majesty as Ranger of Windsor Great Park, continuing a long tradition of the Sovereign and members of the Royal Family holding this role.
“Windsor has a wonderful heritage with many precious natural habitats. His Majesty’s passion and commitment to the natural world will be invaluable as we seek to become a centre of excellence for environmental best practice, preserving and enhancing the Great Park for generations to come.”
The Crown Estate manages the Windsor Estate, which encompasses about 15,800 acres. That includes the famous tree-lined Long Walk, Windsor Great Park, Swinley Forest, and Home Park. The Windsor Estate is also a working rural estate home to tourism, residential and commercial property, horticulture, and forestry.
