Royal Connections

As you approach Royal Windsor you can’t help but notice that Windsor Castle dominates the skyline. 

There is no escaping the strong connection between the Royal Family and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.  On 17 July 1917, George V changed the royal family’s official name from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to the House of Windsor. 

Henry I was the first monarch to use Windsor Castle as a royal residence and the first royal wedding in Windsor took place in 1121 between Henry and his second wife Adelizia of Louvain, the ‘Fair Maid of Brabant’.  In 2018 Windsor was the picture perfect location for two modern-day royal weddings: both Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and HRH Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank chose St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle as their wedding venue.

Windsor Castle was Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite weekend home where she relaxed by riding in the parkland.  She chose to celebrate her 90th birthday here, cut her birthday cake at Windsor Guildhall then be driven round the town, much to the delight of the crowds.  In 2022, following the State Funeral in London, Queen Elizabeth II's coffin was brought home to Windsor.  Her final resting place is in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and one of the official residences of His Majesty The King.  A visit should be top of your list.

If you time your visit to the castle right you’ll witness the Changing the Guard ceremony too, or you can watch the guards march from the barracks along the High Street. 

The guards’ duty is to protect the monarch; they are modern soldiers whose operational duties take them round the world to areas of conflict.

The Duke of Edinburgh was appointed Ranger of Windsor Great Park by Queen Elizabeth II in 1952.  His Royal Highness was the longest serving Ranger, acting as steward for one of the nation’s most iconic landscapes for nearly 70 years.  During this time, he became affectionately known to the estate workers as simply ‘The Duke’.

Windsor Guildhall is where Their Majesties The King and The Queen (when they were The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall) were married in 2005. You can see the ceremony room when you visit the Windsor and Royal Borough Museum, subject to room availability.

Windsor Guildhall was used as a court room for the trial of the man who attempted to assassinate Queen Victoria in Windsor in 1882.

Enjoy the wonderful shopping on offer in Windsor and Eton and discover many royal warrant holders.

Princes William and Harry were educated at Eton College which is just over the River Thames from Windsor.

Time your visit to include a royal event such as Royal Windsor Horse Show or world-famous Royal Ascot.

Find out more about the History of Windsor and enjoy discovering many more royal connections for yourself.