The expectations placed upon members of the British Royal Family seem nearly unachievable to me and the cast members in this regal theatrical ensemble must continuously remain “in character.” While on the one hand revered and cherished, the other hand appears at the ready to dispense punishing ridicule each time a ravenous national media publicizes a royal indiscretion.
During my lifetime I can recall no individual who has portrayed her “royal persona” with greater fidelity than Queen Elizabeth II, and I credit her for creating an interest within me to visit Windsor Castle. Sadly, she accomplished this when I watched on television as she arrived here to be laid to rest in 2022.
If you fancy a visit to this jewel within the royal collection, you’ll find that the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world is actually set within a quaint community just 90 minutes outside of London.
The construction of St. George’s Chapel was completed in 1528 by a “Henry”, so you know it’s good! 😉 As you wander through the choir be sure to look above the stalls for the helmets, crests, and banners of the current Knights and Ladies of the Garter.
As we climbed the Grand Staircase while entering the Royal Apartments, I couldn’t help but wonder what domestic and foreign dignitaries had done the same.
My favorite room was the Waterloo Chamber. Designed to facilitate meetings of a serious nature, I counted 60 seats around a very long table. I couldn’t help but imagine a monarch scheduling a meeting, having everyone seated and waiting for about 10 minutes, and then making a grand entrance by entering through the double doors at the head of the table. Talk about your home field advantage!
Don’t be surprised to find a line to view the dollhouse and that’s because the details of each item seem impossibly accurate and it features running water, electricity, a functioning phonograph, a shotgun that can be loaded with shells, and books written by famous authors (some of them handwritten)!
And that’s…Henry’s Take.
Editor’s Note: Photography is prohibited within the buildings, so any interior photographs that I’ve included were purchased.
Windsor Castle
Windsor SL4 1NJ
England
+44 303 123 7334
www.rct.uk
