Windsor Guildhall: 8 facts about the backdrop for the Windsor Framework Announcement

The Windsor Guildhall was the setting for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and President of the European Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen to announce the historic Windsor Framework on 27 February 2023.

We asked the team at the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum to tell us more about the historical items that were in view throughout the broadcast of the announcement.  

© 10 Downing Street

Eight things which can be seen:

1. Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead coat of arms – Windsor Castle is pictured on a hill with branches and the leaves representing the oak forests which once surrounded the town, along with a heraldic gold lion. The white horse represents Berkshire.

2. Chandeliers on loan from Royal Collection Trust – Geroge IV commissioned the three chandeliers (c.1828-30). Made of brass they each have 60 lights, which would have originally been candles. The third is hanging Windsor Castle’s Queen’s Guard Chamber.

Chandelier - Royal Collection Trust 

3. Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II hangs directly opposite a portrait of Prince Philip. She visited the Guildhall on several occasions including as Princess Elizabeth the year before becoming Queen, and most recently, as part of her 90th birthday celebrations in 2016, meeting twenty 90-year-old local residents.

Elizabeth II (1926–2022) | Art UK The Duke of Edinburgh (1921–2021) | Art UK

4. Door to the Ascot Room where His Majesty King Charles married the Queen Consort, Camilla, in April 2005 in front of 15 guests, including William, Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. On 21 December the same year, Elton John and his partner David Furnish, had their Civil Partnership ceremony on the first day they were allowed to take place in England and Wales.

5. King George V and Queen Mary. The portraits were given to the Guildhall in 1917 to mark the family changing their German name of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor. The frames are made of oak from Windsor Great Park.

George V (1865–1936) | Art UK Queen Mary (1867–1953), Consort to George V | Art UK

6. Dais and throne chair - The Council Chamber served as a Magistrates Court from 1690-1971, you can still see the raised area at the front of the room (dais) and railings where the Mayor, who was Chief Magistrate would sit. The man who attempted to assassinate Queen Victoria in 1882, Roderick Maclean, was tried for high treason here. He spent the rest of his life in Broadmoor after being found “guilty, but insane.”

7. Carver chairs - The 26 carved wooden chairs are still used for functions today and bear the crest of the borough charter of 1276 and the Monarch’s Coat of Arms (originally Edward I) a deer representing the town and the castle.

8. Royal portraits –there is an original painting of every monarch since Elizabeth I to Elizabeth II (two of Queen Victoria and two of Queen Elizabeth II). The only exceptions are George I and II as they are rumoured not to have liked Windsor.

When the room is available, 40-minute tours can be booked on the day at Windsor Museum. Opening times and details here - Windsor & Royal Borough Museum.

The Guildhall can be hired for a range of events including weddings, civil ceremonies and corporate events. The Council Chamber can also be used for private dining opportunities and drinks receptions - contact the event team at the Guildhall to find out more (guildhall@rbwm.gov.uk). 

Royal Borough residents qualify for a discount on room hire with their resident Advantage Card