Step inside Windsor Castle, the world’s largest inhabited castle and a true jewel of British heritage. With over 1,000 opulent rooms, priceless historic treasures and breathtaking grounds, this royal residence is nothing short of extraordinary.
For nearly 900 years, Windsor Castle has been a favourite retreat for monarchs, and it’s easy to see why. Its iconic crenellated walls, majestic turrets, soaring towers and historic moats embody the very essence of a classic English castle.
Click or scroll to uncover the captivating history of Windsor Castle and the intriguing secrets hidden within its ancient walls.
As you would expect, the castle's origins go way back in the timeline of important British history, and it has housed 39 monarchs over the centuries, making it the oldest continuously occupied castle in the world.
Windsor was founded after the Norman Conquest by William the Conqueror in around 1070. The fortress was strategically placed on the banks of the River Thames to protect London from the West and also because of its proximity to the royal hunting ground, Windsor Great Park.
Who lives at Windsor Castle? Of course, most people know that the Castle was the official residence of the late Queen in the years before her passing.
While Charles has not chosen to follow in his mother’s footsteps, remaining instead at Clarence House, his long-term residence with Camilla in central London, several other royals do live at Windsor or on the wider estate, including some very senior members of the royal family.
In addition to the castle itself, the Windsor estate includes many different royal residences.
Current occupants include William and Kate, who live with their three children in Adelaide Cottage, and Prince Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who occupy the Royal Lodge.
Previous incumbents of the estate also include Prince Harry and Meghan Markel, who called Frogmore Cottage their British base until their 'eviction' in the early part of 2023.
Frogmore Cottage has been home to many royals over the centuries.
Having previously been divided into five properties, the cottage was converted back into a large family home specifically for Meghan and Harry at a reported cost of £2.4 million ($3m) in 2019, an amount the couple have since repaid.
It was also reported in Hello! magazine that Harry and Meghan allowed Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank to move in with baby August Philip Hawke Brooksbank for a period while they were 'temporarily' living in the States between 2021 and 2022.
However, in the wake of Harry’s condemnatory autobiography, Spare, the renegade royal pair were officially relieved of the property in early 2023.
It has been reported that King Charles is urging his brother Andrew to take up residence in the newly vacated property, but Andrew remains resistant, preferring to remain in his long-term home, the Royal Lodge, which he has spent millions on renovating out of his own pocket.
Willaim and Kate, aka the Prince and Princess of Wales, and their three children George, Charlotte and Louis, live in the Grade ll-listed Adelaide Cottage, which is a short way from St George’s Chapel on the Windsor estate.
The four-bedroom property was built back in 1831 for King William IV's wife, Queen Adelaide. Far from a humble cottage, this fine house was renovated in 2015 and so needed little work before they moved in, which was important to the couple.
The property is also conveniently close to Kate's parents, who live a 45-minute drive from Windsor Great Park, as well as her sister Pippa Middleton.
While the young family only moved into Adelaide Cottage in September of 2022, William and Kate have found themselves under mounting pressure to shoulder more royal responsibilities in the wake of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s departure, which some say could mean a move to Windsor Castle proper – though not any time soon it would seem.
With three young children enrolled in the nearby Lambrook School, the Prince and Princess are purportedly unwilling to uproot their young family for the time being, although they were said to be unsettled by a break-in at a nearby farm in October 2024 when they were asleep in their beds.
The controversial 'Problem Prince' Andrew has called the Royal Lodge, located just a few miles from Windsor Castle, home since 2003.
The 30-room mansion was formerly the residence of the Queen Mother, and is where the late Queen Elizabeth II spent many weekends growing up.
Prince Andrew reportedly signed a 75-year lease for the Georgian property in 2003 and is said to have spent £7.5 million ($9.4m) in refurbishments, as well as putting down an initial £1 million ($1.2m) payment to secure the lease and paying a weekly rent of £250 ($314).
Prince Andrew has a strong attachment to Royal Lodge, not least because his daughter Princess Beatrice, was married at the Royal Chapel of All Saints in the grounds of the house, where the Prince is seen here. Princess Eugenie was married at nearby St George's Chapel, Windsor.
It was reported in November 2024 that Prince Andrew had found the necessary funds for pressing building repairs at the property, after his allowance and private security were said to have been cut off by the king. There was speculation however, that certain "treasures", some of them owned by the Royal Collection, might be removed from the residence, since the Prince no longer carries out official duties.
Of course, the royals are not the only residents of Windsor Castle and its environs. As the largest occupied castle in the world, Windsor Castle could not operate without legions of staff, many of whom are residential.
These include the unofficial head of the Castle community, the Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle, the Military Knights of Windsor; the Superintendent of Windsor Castle and his staff, who are responsible for day-to-day administration.
The Cloisters, a charming horseshoe terrace of half-timbered houses, have been home to the Dean of Windsor, the Canons and the dedicated staff who manage the College of St George for centuries. These historic residences, which date back in some form to the 1500s, are steeped in tradition and character.
And they’re not the only ones living within Windsor Castle’s storied walls. The Housekeeper, her team and the soldiers who maintain the castle’s permanent military guard also call this royal stronghold home.
The castle occupies 13 acres of land, with Windsor town to the west, the playing fields of Eton College to the north and Windsor Great Park to the south.
Dating from the 11th century, the walls of Windsor Castle, including those around 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.
Back before the castle was turned into a palace, secret passageways and escape routes were a necessity and one was included by the architects of the royal home.
Leading out into the streets, the entrance to the passageway is still hidden within the castle today underneath the carpet in an unassuming office. Revealed in the BBC documentary, The Queen's Palaces, it shows the castle's colourful history.
Windsor Castle was also extensively used by the Tudors. Henry VIII was a frequent visitor and is interred beneath the quire in St George’s Chapel, alongside his beloved wife, Jane Seymour, the only wife to bear him a surviving legitimate male heir.
By the time Elizabeth I took up residence at Windsor, many parts of the castle were in a state of disrepair. A comprehensive programme of restoration was carried out during the 1570s. Elizabeth also added a long gallery overlooking the North Terrace, visible on the left in this drawing by Wenceslas Hollar.
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.
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 late Queen Elizabeth II's drawing room, pictured here, now 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.
As well as creating the State Apartments, Charles II was also responsible for the addition of the Long Walk and had double rows of elm trees planted the entire length of the route.
This 2.64-mile path leads from Windsor Great Park into the castle.
King George III was responsible for re-igniting royal interest in Windsor Castle during his reign (1760-1820) restoring St George's Chapel and commissioning the esteemed architect James Wyatt to remodel much of the Upper Ward.
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.
In 1837 Queen Victoria came to Windsor for the first time, 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.
At 13 years old, Princess Elizabeth was evacuated to Windsor Castle, along with her younger sister, Princess Margaret, for safety during the Second World War.
Given her early introduction to the castle, it is perhaps unsurprising that Windsor was always the Queen's favourite place of residence. Princess Elizabeth can be seen here playing with Princess Margaret in 1940 in an office.
In 1992, a catastrophic fire swept through Windsor Castle, reportedly originating in St George’s Chapel. The blaze caused extensive damage, sparking an ambitious five-year restoration project that would return the castle to its former glory.
Many of the interiors were meticulously restored to their original designs, preserving centuries of history. Meanwhile, others were reimagined and rebuilt with stunning new designs, seamlessly blending tradition and modern craftsmanship.
After the devastating fire, St George’s Hall was meticulously restored, including the reconstruction of its magnificent timbered ceiling. This masterpiece proudly displays the coats of arms of every Knight of the Garter since the order’s inception in 1348.
A true marvel of craftsmanship, the ceiling is the largest structure of its kind to have been built since the Middle Ages, standing as a testament to both historical tradition and modern engineering.
Initially a cherished weekend retreat, Windsor Castle became the primary residence and office of Queen Elizabeth II from the onset of the pandemic in March 2020.
It remained her beloved home until her peaceful passing at Balmoral Castle in September 2022.
The private apartments are normally kept away from prying eyes, but this rare glimpse shows the late Queen in her sitting room meeting the New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key.
Squishy floral sofas, cosy lighting and plush carpet make for a welcoming space that's a world away from banqueting halls and turrets.
As well as living in Windsor Castle day-to-day as her primary residence, the late Queen also used the grand buildings for state visits.
On his first foreign trip as President, Joe Biden and his wife, First Lady Dr Jill Biden, were invited to take tea with Her Majesty on Sunday 13 June 2021 after attending the G7 summit in Cornwall. Biden was the 13th US president that Queen Elizabeth had met over her 69-year reign.
The largest room in the castle, St George's Hall, has been the backdrop for many a royal occasion in recent years.
It was the setting for the wedding reception of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in May 2018, and also where they met with the world's press to show off baby Archie after he was born in May 2019.
Meghan Markle gave birth to the couple's second child, Lilibet Diana on 4 June 2021 in Los Angeles, where the duo now live.
The Waterloo Chamber, pictured here, is on the main tour route at Windsor Castle and is often used for investitures, where members of the public receive honours from a member of the Royal family.
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.
Another magnificent space within Windsor Castle is the Green Drawing Room, named for its striking green damask wallpaper.
This semi-state room, located on the east and south sides of the castle, is known for its warm, sunlit atmosphere. It has played host to many significant moments, including the official wedding photographs of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
More recently, as seen in this image, King Charles welcomed US President Joe Biden here during the Climate Finance Mobilisation Forum in July 2023.
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 the late Queen often received dignitaries.
Queen Elizabeth frequently arranged small engagements in the White Drawing Room, in particular, audiences for ambassadors and diplomats from around the Commonwealth. She is seen here with her husband Prince Philip and Australian High Commissioner Alexander Downer.
When the King and Queen married in April 2005, they chose the White Drawing Room for their wedding portraits. As well as the late Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh and the King’s two sons, Princes William and Harry, pictured are Camilla’s father Major Bruce Shand, and her children Tom and Laura Parker Bowles.
Prince Andrew’s daughter Princess Eugenie also chose the elegant room as a backdrop for her wedding photographs some years later in October 2018, when she married long-time boyfriend Jack Brooksbank.
St George’s Chapel, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married, as well as Princess Eugenie, 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 King Charles III are members.
St George’s Chapel stands as one of England’s most exquisite examples of Gothic architecture.
Its breathtaking interior features intricate medieval carvings, stunning Victorian stained glass windows and the distinctive coats of arms of every Knight of the Garter, adding to its rich historical and architectural significance.
In April 2021, St George's Chapel played host to the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
In accordance with his wishes, the Duke's coffin was driven from Windsor Castle to the chapel in a custom-built Land Rover Defender, before being carried up the steps by eight pallbearers from the Royal Marines.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Queen had to sit alone in the Chapel to bid farewell to her husband of 73 years.
Less than 18 months later, on 19 September 2022, St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle became the Queen’s final resting place, in accordance with her wishes.
After a state funeral held at Westminster Abbey, the late Queen returned home to Windsor one final time. The funeral procession progressed from central London back to Windsor up the Long Walk, which had been strewn with flowers by the thousands who came to pay their respects.
Finally, after a committal service in St George’s Chapel, the Queen was interred beside her husband, Phillip.
The chapel is the final resting place for many other famous royals, including Henry VIII and Charles I. Their burial places are marked by a plaque on the floor in the medieval quire.
Windsor Castle played a substantial role in the coronation celebrations for King Charles III, including as the location for the official Coronation Concert which was broadcast live by the BBC.
Several thousand members of the public were selected by random ballot to attend the concert for free, while millions of people across the world tuned into the broadcast at home.
The concert featured performances by Katy Perry and Take That, as well as a number of choirs, including refugee choirs, NHS choirs, LGBTQ+ singing groups, deaf signing choirs, and the official ‘Coronation Choir,’ which was the subject of a new documentary exploring the stories of the people representing the many faces and voices of the country.
The centrepiece of the Coronation Concert, ‘Lighting up the Nation’, featured iconic locations across the United Kingdom being lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations.
Though steeped in the most venerable British history and stuffed full of treasure and artworks, Windsor Castle was also a cosy home in which the late Queen loved to live and work.
Now, this most historic and magnificent of royal residences is embarking on a new chapter under the new King, as well as potentially becoming the new home of Prince William and family.
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