Windsor Castle, which is located in Windsor in Berkshire, England, is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. It is one of the official residences of Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.
The castle is used by the Queen as a private home, where she usually spends the weekend, and as a royal residence to undertake formal duties such as state banquets and official entertaining. The Queen regularly hosts state visits from overseas monarchs and presidents at the castle.
The Queen takes up official residence in Windsor Castle for a month every year over the Easter period, an event known as Easter Court. During Easter Court occasional 'dine and sleep' events are hosted by the Queen for her guests, including politicians and public figures.
The Queen also takes up residence in the castle for a week in June, when she attends both the service of the Order of the Garter and the Royal Ascot race meeting.
Windsor Castle houses a significant portion of the Royal Collection of Art, which is managed from offices in the castle.
History of Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle was originally built by William the Conqueror after the Norman Invasion of 1066. He built it on a hill overlooking the River Thames, with the intention that is would guard the western approaches to London, which is a day's march away.
Windsor Castle has been used by a succession of monarchs since the time of Henry I, making it the longest occupied palace in Europe.
The castle has undergone many redevelopments and restorations since that time, but the current outer walls are in the same position as the original outer walls, as is the central mound that supports the Round Tower and the Upper Ward, which has housed the monarch's private apartments since the 14th Century.
George IV worked with architect Sir Jeffry Wyatville in the 1820's to renovate the castle, with much of its current appearance being created at that time. Their work included the creation of the lavish state apartments which have been described by art historian Hugh Roberts as "a superb and unrivalled sequence of rooms widely regarded as the finest and most complete expression of later Georgian taste".
Windsor Castle Fire
A major fire started in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle on 20 November 1992, when a spotlight came into contact with a curtain and ignited the material. The fire lasted for 15 hours and one-and-a-half million gallons of water were used to put out the blaze. The fire damaged or destroyed nine principal rooms, and over 100 other rooms - about one-fifth of the Castle.
Five years were spent restoring Windsor Castle to its former glory, the greatest historic building project undertaken in the UK in the 20th century, requiring the revival of many traditional crafts.
The restoration was completed on 20 November 1997, six months ahead of schedule. The total cost was £37 million, some £3 million below the budget. The majority of the money was raised by opening Buckingham Palace's State Rooms to visitors during August and September every year.
St. George's Chapel
St. George's Chapel is Windsor Castle's place of worship. It is a royal peculiar, which means it is under the direct jurisdiction of the British Monarch, rather than under that of a bishop. The chapel is run by the College of St, George, which was founded by King Edward III in 1348.
The chapel has hosted many royal weddings. Four of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's nine children were married in the chapel, including the wedding of Prince Albert Edward, The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, and Princess Alexandra of Denmark in 1863.
More recently, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Sophie Rhys-Jones were married in the Chapel in 1999, as were Peter Philips and Autumn Kelly in 2008.
In 2005, the marriage of Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, received a blessing from The Archbishop of Canterbury in the chapel after their civil ceremony at the Guildhall in Windsor.
Many members of the Royal Family have been baptised in the chapel, including King Edward VII, King George V, and Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex.
The chapel has also hosted many royal funerals and internments including internments of Queen Victoria, King George V and Queen Mary, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, and her younger daughter, Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon.
Visiting Windsor Castle
Visitors to Windsor Castle can view the state apartments and St. George's Chapel all year round, and King George IV's apartments and the east terrace at certain times of year. Additional tours of the tower and the great kitchen are available.
Other royal residences that are open to the public include Buckingham Palace and Clarence House.
Sources:
The Royal Collection - Windsor Castle
Mark Tibbits - A professional writer and educator who writes about Astrology, South Asia/China, the UK, the British Royal Family, and Religion.
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