Windsor Castle is all set to go for the Christmas season. Last week, Historic Royal Palaces decorated the nearly century-old royal castle for the holidays, decking it with Christmas trees, twinkling lights, and festive garlands.
Through January 3rd, people who visit Windsor Castle will get to see the State Apartments at their peak Christmas moments, featuring a 20-foot-tall Norwegian spruce sourced from Windsor Great Park. The tree required two full days to decorate with thousands of lights and hundreds of ornaments. It’s standing tall in St. George’s Hall.
In addition to the Norwegian spruce, there is also a display of costumes worn by Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret when they performed in holiday pantomimes during World War II. These performances were said to have been Princess Margaret’s idea.
Per the Royal Trust. “During the Second World War, The Queen (the Princess Elizabeth) and Princess Margaret spent much of their time in Windsor, safely away from the bombing in London. Between 1941 and 1944 they performed in and helped to stage a series of Christmas pantomimes to raise money for the Royal Household Wool Fund, which supplied knitting wool to make comforters for soldiers fighting at the Front.”
From November 25 until January 31, 2022, six costumes worn by the Princess will be on display in the Waterloo Chamber of Windsor Castle, the original spot of the performances 80 years ago.
The Castle is also hosting storytelling sessions on December 4th, 11th, 18th, 20th, and 23rd, as well as arts-and-crafts activities on the weekends, inviting children to create their own costumes and pantomime-themed Christmas decor and perform for their loved ones.
In the State Dining Room, the table is laid with silver-gift pieces from the Grand Service commissioned by George IV and still used today by The Queen and her guests.
The Semi-State Rooms are open to visitors for the winter months. These rooms were created as private apartments for George IV and are now used by members of the Royal Family for official entertaining. There is also a magnificent Christmas tree in the Crimson Drawing Room.
