Inside Windsor Castle: where the Queen escapes for the weekend
Tour around the royal family's regal retreat
The setting of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, Windsor Castle has been a favourite royal residence since its foundations were laid around 900 years ago. With 1,000 sumptuous rooms, it's no wonder the Queen spends most weekends here, sealing Windsor's place as the largest inhabited castle in the world. Here we take a look behind the scenes of England's most historic and magnificent royal residence.
A strategic location
Windsor Castle was founded by William the Conqueror around 1070. Its location on the banks of the River Thames was chosen to protect London from the west, as well as its proximity to a royal hunting ground.
Aerial view of Windsor Castle
Set in 13-acres of land, Windsor town is to the west of the castle, while the playing fields of Eton College are to the north and Windsor Great Park lies to the south.
History in its very walls
Dating from the 11th century, the walls of Windsor Castle, including those round the Moat Garden, were once wooden but were replaced with stone during the reign of King Henry II, who converted the castle into a palace in the late 12th century.
Kings and Queens of Windsor
Windsor Castle was much-used by the Tudors. Henry VIII was a regular visitor and he is even buried under the quire of St George’s Chapel, while Queen Elizabeth I believed the castle would protect her from would-be attackers.
The Restoration of the Monarchy
Adopted by Oliver Cromwell as his headquarters during the English Civil war (from 1642-51) and doubling as a prison for captured Royalists, by the time Charles II came to the throne in 1660, Windsor was in a poor state of repair. Charles began a renovation project to turn it into a grand residence, transforming the State Apartments with wood carvings by Grinling Gibbons and painted ceilings by Antonio Verrio. This statue of Charles II was added in 1679.
A castle to rival Versailles
King Charles II created the lavish apartments you see today, in a bid to rival his cousin King Louis XIV’s Palace of Versailles. The Queen's drawing room (pictured) serves primarily as a picture gallery with many Old Masters' paintings on display, including those by Hans Holbein the Younger and Anthony van Dyck. There are also portraits of Henry VIII and a young Elizabeth I.
The Long Walk, Windsor
As well as creating the State Apartments, Charles was also responsible for the addition of the Long Walk. This 2.64-mile path leads from Windsor Great Park into the castle.
A Georgian makeover
During the reign of King George III (1760-1820) Windsor Castle began a Gothic transformation. George III commissioned the esteemed architect James Wyatt to remodel much of the Upper Ward.
No expense spared
Under the reign of the famously opulent King George IV (1820-30) the Semi-State rooms and the glorious Grand Reception Room, with its gilt walls and giant chandeliers, were given a 19th-century uplift at a cost of around $1.1 billion (£800m), in today's money.
Windsor's Round Tower
George IV continued his father's vision and had many of the medieval towers reworked. He also had the iconic Round Tower raised into the position we see today.
Principal Palace of the British Empire
Queen Victoria spent most of the year at Windsor and during her reign the castle became the main palace and a showpiece for the British Empire. It was here that Victoria hosted ambassadors and ministers from across the world.
The 1992 fire
A devastating fire at Windsor Castle in 1992, which apparently started in St George's Chapel, caused extensive damage and led to a huge restoration project that took five years in total. Many interiors were painstakingly returned to their original design while others were rebuilt to new designs.
Historic St George's Hall
Following the fire, St George's Hall was restored and its entire timbered ceiling was rebuilt, making it the largest structure of its kind constructed since the Middle Ages. It is the largest room in the castle and was the setting for the wedding reception of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (aka Prince Harry and Meghan Markle) in May.
A chamber for celebration
The Waterloo Chamber, pictured here, is often used to host lavish banquets. It was commissioned by King George IV and includes portraits of the monarchs, statesmen and commanders involved in the defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo.
The White Drawing Room
This room, which leads on to the Crimson Drawing Room and the Green Drawing Room, is decorated with cream silk broadloom damask and is where Her Majesty often receives dignitaries
The Green Drawing Room
This official wedding photograph of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was taken in the beautiful Green Drawing Room and if you look closely you can just make out some of the green damask wallpaper in the background.
Getting behind the scenes
The Semi-State apartments regularly host spectacular exhibitions in the Green Drawing Room. But if you want to get even closer to the royals there are exclusive evening tours offering a "behind-the-ropes" viewing of the State Apartments, which take place on Fridays during the summer.
Windsor Castle precincts
Included in the ticket price to Windsor Castle is a free tour of the outdoor areas of the castle, which last about 30 minutes and sets off from the Courtyard. Tours end outside the State Apartments at Henry VIII’s North Terrace from where you can enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
Clues to the castle's past
Windsor was originally a Norman motte and bailey castle and you can still find evidence of its early origins. The ancient Norman Gate is located near the north-facing curtain wall and close to the Moat Garden, which has steps leading up to the Round Tower’s motte.
Royal symbols
Look out for historic features throughout the castle and its grounds, including this bas-relief found on the wall of St George’s Chapel.
Beautiful cloisters
While the Horseshoe Cloister was fully restored by celebrated architect Sir George Gilbert Scott in a 19th-century mock Tudor style, parts of Dean Cloister date from the 14th century.
St George's Chapel
St George’s Chapel, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married, is set within the castle grounds. It's home to the ancient Order of the Garter, a group of knights founded in the 14th century by King Edward III. Currently, Prince William and his father Charles, Prince of Wales, are members but Prince Harry has yet to join this exclusive club.
Inside the Royal Wedding
St George's Chapel is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England. The interior is decorated with intricate medieval carvings and Victorian stained glass windows. Not a bad way to start married life for the Duke and Duchess!
Final resting place of Kings and Queens
Many famous royals are buried in St George’s Chapel, including Henry VIII and Charles I. Their burial place is marked by a plaque on the floor in the medieval quire.
A royal spectacle
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attracted thousands of spectators, many of whom lined the Long Walk, hoping to catch a glimpse of the couple.
Love the royal family?
Check out our brilliant picture galleries that uncover the secrets of the British royal family's private properties or take a tour around Kensington Palace, home to Harry and Meghan.
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