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A Christmas trip to Windsor Castle
Windsor is a great day out all year round, but a Christmas trip to Windsor Castle is something very special.
From the moment you enter Castle Hill you’ll see decorations and ornaments fit for a queen. Although our Queen Elizabeth doesn’t usually spend Christmas Day at Windsor Castle*, the Royal Standard was flying when we were there. This indicates that she was in residence at the castle during our visit. However, as you’d imagine, Windsor Castle is larger than the average home and we didn’t even get a glimpse of Her Majesty. Nor even of the royal corgis!
As you’d expect, the Queen spares no expense on the Christmas decorations at Windsor Castle and it all looked perfectly ready for the festive season. However, she does recycle her decorations and tries to reuse as much as possible.
Unsurprisingly, the castle looked fabulous. The Christmas trees are tall and magnificently decorated and the royal rooms were decked out with festive adornments. It was all perfectly co-ordinated with shimmering reds and gold, complimenting the furnishings of the stately rooms.
Traditionally Queen Elizabeth spends her Christmas at her royal estate, Sandringham in Norfolk. However, for Christmas 2020 she is planning a quiet family Christmas at Windsor Castle.
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St George's Gate
Outdoors, in the courtyard by St George’s Gate, the decorations were more subtle. Festive wreaths hung from the gates and lamp posts and lanterns had festively dressings too. The whole place had a wonderful Christmas feel to it.
For more information on your visit to Windsor:-
A Christmas tradition
It has become a tradition at Windsor Castle to give a 20 ft Nordmann Fir tree pride of place in St George’s Hall.
They grow this wonderful tree in the surrounding Windsor Great Park. The abundant red and gold decorations give the room a really festive feel.
Luckily we arrived on time to hear the choir perform a collection of carols and festive songs. They had amazing voices and really put us in a Christmas mood. It really was the icing on the cake for our Christmas trip to Windsor Castle.
Another magnificent Christmas tree
Outside Windsor Castle, an enormous tree stands at the junction of the High Street and Castle Hill, behind the statue of Queen Victoria. It is a welcome sight for any visitor arriving at the castle. They have decorated the tree in hundreds of gold baubles and fairy lights and the result is really impressive.
We stood in front of the tree to watch the traditional changing of the guards. It was a memorable sight to watch the soldiers march up the hill to the sounds of their band. They made a loop round the Christmas tree to make their entrance to the castle.
Further information about Windsor Castle
For further information on the history of Windsor Castle, you could try Windsor Castle: An Illustrated History or Windsor Castle: A Thousand Years of a Royal Palace.
If you are taking younger children (age 7-11), The Queen’s Castle at Windsor is an full of fun activities which will help prepare them for their visit.
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