Windsor Castle: take a look at the historic building the Queen calls home

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While we're all in lockdown in our homes, the Queen is self-isolating in a castle - Windsor Castle, no less.

• The Queen is in lockdown at Windsor Castle, in the heart of the Berkshire town.
• Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest castle in the world, and just one of four residences the monarch uses.
• In other royal news, Sophie Wessex’s latest lockdown looks are giving us all fashion envy – here’s where you can buy dupes of her best outfits.

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Windsor Castle is one of four homes the Queen uses (the others being Sandringham House in Norfolk, Balmoral in Scotland, and of course, Buckingham Palace). The castle is the oldest and largest in the world, covering 26 acres of land.

Windsor is arugably where the monarch spends most of her time, using it as her base at the weekend and as a home near London. She also conducts official duties there too, often hosting guests in the many reception rooms.

She has been isolating there during the coronavirus lockdown since the middle of March, after being pulled out of royal duties just before the official lockdown.

And of course, that means that it’s the place where the Queen and Prince Philip are celebrating his 99th birthday today (10th June), too!

In fact, the royal couple recently released this photo, taken by Press Association, in the garden of Windsor Castle, to mark the Duke’s impressive milestone birthday.

View this post on Instagram

📸 This new photograph of The Duke of Edinburgh and The Queen was taken last week in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle to mark His Royal Highness’s 99th birthday tomorrow. . Copyright: Press Association

A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily) on Jun 9, 2020 at 2:35pm PDT

So what is the royal home where the Queen and Prince Philip lives (and where the likes of Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie got married), like inside? How many rooms does it have, and why does the Queen like it so much?

A brief history of Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle has been in the hands of successive monarchs for over 1,000 years, and lived in continuously throughout that time.

But it was William the Conquerer who first took up residence there, choosing the site for his castle because it sat high up above the River Thames and next to a Saxon hunting ground.

The castle was later extended by Edward III, and it was even used as the headquarters for various Parliamentarian commanders in 1642, during the Civil War.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, in the 1840s, were said to love Windsor, and spent much of their time. Before them, the castle was simply a private home, but during Victoria’s reign, they opened up the State Apartments for public visits.

Windsor is also where the current Queen and her sister, Princess Margaret, were sent during the Second World War as children, whilst their parents remained in London.

Windsor Castle is also the site where ten former monarchs are buried, given the vast expansive grounds.

Who lives at Windsor Castle now?

Currently the Queen and Prince Philip live at Windsor Castle, but only part-time. For the rest of the year, they split their time between there, Buckingham Palace, Balmoral and Sandringham.

Windsor Castle inside: what is it like in the Queen’s home?

The royal Berkshire residence is made up of private rooms for the Queen, Prince Philip, and their family’s use, but it also includes public rooms where she conducts royal duties.

And due to the public use of these rooms, glimpses inside the castle are possible through various videos and pictures. On the royal.uk website, you can also take a virtual tour of three rooms – the Waterloo Chamber, Drawing Room, and State Banquet Hall, where many royal events have been held – find them here.

The rooms are elaborately decorated, in deep reds, wood and golds.

The Queen has also recently addressed the nation twice – once on VE Day – in light of the coronavirus pandemic, straight from Windsor Castle, giving us a look into the lavish home.

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Her Majesty The Queen addresses the UK and Commonwealth in a special broadcast recorded at Windsor Castle. . ‘We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.’ . Watch The Queen’s broadcast in full on our IGTV channel.

A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily) on Apr 5, 2020 at 12:01pm PDT

A video on the Royal Family Youtube channel also shared a brilliantly detailed look inside the home, with a look at the incredibly grand State Apartments and St. George’s Chapel – where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot.

 

Visit Windsor Castle – is it open to the public?

The castle and all other royal residences have been closed for months due to the coronavirus crisis, but the Royal Collection Trust have confirmed today that Windsor Castle is one of the residences reopening back up to the public from 23rd July!

IMPORTANT NEWS: We’re reopening! We’re delighted that from 23 July we'll welcome visitors back to Windsor Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Mews & The Queen’s Galleries in London & Edinburgh https://t.co/tILDLAQb1i Advance booking is essential https://t.co/X276XGUkyg pic.twitter.com/M72iqvFvws

— RoyalCollectionTrust (@RCT) July 8, 2020

You can purchase tickets here.

The castle is open to members of the public throughout the year, with tickets for adults costing up to £23.50.

MORE: Royal Lodge: A look at Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s Windsor family home

Amongst the tour of the State Apartments and drawing rooms, visitors will also get a chance to see inside St. George’s Chapel, which is still a functioning place of worship to this day. For that reason, the chapel is closed to visitors on Sunday, which is when services take place. It is where famous monarchs including Henry VIII are buried, as well as Charles I.

Who owns Windsor Castle?

Windsor Castle is owned by the Crown Estate, meaning its ownership will pass from monarch to monarch.

This means that the current Queen Elizabeth II doesn’t technically own the residence herself.

What are Windsor Castle grounds like?

The immediate gardens of Windsor Castle are perhaps not as extensive as you might think – but it’s not too much of an issue, considering the vast private and public parkland the residence is surrounded by.

Immediately next to the castle is Home Park, privately owned by the royal family. Home Park is made up of extensive green space, as well as two working farms. It’s also where the private school, St. George’s, is located, as well as where some private royal residences are – including Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s UK home – Frogmore Cottage.

Home Park also houses the Royal Mausoleum at Frogmore, which is the final resting place of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

The famous, 2-mile Long Walk – which Meghan Markle travelled up on her wedding day – is also set within the lush grounds of the castle. The royal family famously travel in a procession to Royal Ascot via this route every year.

Adjoining the Home Park is Windsor Great Park – which encompasses 5,000 acres of land. These grounds are free for the public to explore, and are full of ancient woodland and award-winning gardens. Prince Philip is actually the Ranger of Windsor Great Park!

How much is Windsor Castle worth?

As a castle smack bang in one of the most expensive areas in the UK, Windsor is probably just as eye-wateringly expensive as you may think.

Although it’ll likely never be up for sale, a 2017 report states that Windsor Castle is worth around £236 million.