A Very Royal Christmas at Windsor Castle

The giant tree at St. George's Hall. Image: Screen shot from Youtube.

Christmas season has come to Windsor Castle! Guests can now marvel at the glittering trees and decorations created by royal staff. The 23-foot Normandd fir tree decorated with tinsels and gold ornaments and wrapped around with 7,000 lights breathe in Christmas cheer at St. George's Hall. Castle staffers have also erected a smaller fir tree in the nearby crimson drawing room.

Castle staff preparing the tree. 

The Crimson Drawing Room at Christmastime.

The Christmas Tree is believed to have been introduced to Britain by Queen Charlotte, the German-born wife of King George III. However, it was Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband, who popularized it, giving away trees to schools and Army barracks.

Every Saturday in December, festive activities, such as arts-and-crafts workshop are organized for children. A six special Christmas performances of storytelling and pantomime will also be held in the State Apartments this December. It could be remembered that as teenagers, Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret starred in the Christmas Pantomime of ‘Old Mother Red Riding Boots’ at Windsor Castle in 1944. The show was organized for the benefit of the Royal Household Wool Fund, which provided comforts for the soldiers during World War II.

Another must-see is the performances of  school choirs, which will sing under the Christmas tree in St. George's Hall on the following dates: December 3-6, December 8, December 11,  December 13.

For more details about Christmas at Windsor Castle, visit the Royal Collection Trust page: www.rct.uk/event/windsor-castle-christmas.