Windsor Castle Is Officially Decorated for Christmas!
'Tis officially the season at Windsor Castle! The royal family have released photos of the Christmas decor at Windsor and its sure to get you into the Christmas spirit. The most striking element? A staggering, 20-foot Christmas tree, adorned with traditional elements in red and gold that complement the red curtains and carpets and wood-paneled walls of the 11th-century castle.
Since just one Christmas tree would hardly be enough for such a stately residence, the royals have supplemented the 20-foot tree with a 15-foot one in the Crimson Drawing Room, equally festooned with ornaments. The castle website also promises that "festive decorations are spread throughout" the building's many state rooms, as well as the private rooms of George IV, which are only open to visitors during the winter season.
Though decorating with a Christmas tree (or trees) is common practice now, the tradition holds a special place for the royals; after all, it's widely believed Queen Victoria and Prince Albert popularized the tradition in Europe and beyond when they installed a live tree in Windsor Castle (where they celebrated Christmases) in 1848. Decorating evergreen trees was already a tradition in parts of Germany, where Prince Albert was from, and an engraving of he, the Queen, and their children decorating their own Christmas tree—something they really did, according to historians—made the practice catch on.
This year marks the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's births, so the royal household has paid special attention to the couple with its decorations this year, too: Windsor's Octagon Room features a display of gifts the couple gave each other over the years.
Eager to see more? Windsor Castle is open to visitors for tours during the Christmas season as well as a variety of events, from caroling to arts-and-crafts—just like Queen Victoria would have done! Learn more here.
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