Top 10 Ways to Live Like a Royal

Attend Eton College

Princes William and Harry both went to school here as did rowing royalty Sir Matthew Pinsent. The College is headed by a Provost (head teacher) and Fellows (governors). Teachers are known as beaks and Prefects are identified by their colourful waistcoats. The waistcoats are passed down from generation to generation.  Learn more at Eton College's Museums and Galleries and follow the Eton Walkway to find out more about Eton itself.

Play polo

Guards Polo Club, The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club and Coworth Park feature the world’s top professionals and plenty of opportunities to take part in half time ‘divot stamping’ Pretty Woman style! In summer there are regular matches to watch and opportunities to learn to play this fast action sport.

Wear hats

The number one accessory at Royal Ascot. Wear hats straight on the head or tilted mysteriously over one eye. In the Royal Enclosure only formal day dress with hat or substantial fascinator will be acceptable for ladies and morning dress with top hats for gentlemen. Many people wear hats in the public enclosures though it’s not compulsory. Stewards wear bowler hats, and bookies used to take bets on the colour of Queen Elizabeth II’s hat on Gold Cup day.

Get married at Windsor Guildhall

In 2005 King Charles III and Queen Camilla (when they were Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall) were married in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall followed 8 months later by rock royalty Elton John and partner David Furnish in one of the first civil partnership ceremonies. Both the Guildhall Chamber and the Ascot Room are available to hire. Guided tours are available on selected days to visitors of the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum.

Walk a corgi

Windsor Great Park offers thousands of acres of open parkland for dog walking, and welcomes many dog owners throughout the year. Queen Elizabeth II was closely associated with the Corgi and the Dorgi (a cross between Corgi and Dachsund).

Eat Royal produce

Windsor Farm Shop sells produce from the Royal Estates and Windsor Farms. Their Windsor Castle ice cream is made from the milk of the Jersey herd that live in Home Park, free range eggs come from chickens in Windsor Great Park and they make their own sausages from Windsor Farms' pork. Opened in 2001 by The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the farm shop is situated on the edge of Home Park and includes a coffee shop – great for afternoon tea!

Worship at St George’s Chapel

The connection between the Royal Family and St George’s Chapel is a strong one. Members of the Royal Family have been baptised, married and buried in the Chapel. Prince Harry was baptised in St George's in 1984, and Prince William was confirmed at a service in the chapel in 1997.  It is where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married in May 2018.  In September 2022 it became the final resting place of Queen Elizabeth II.  There are at least three daily services held in the chapel and all are welcome to attend.

Smile and wave at well-wishers

There are many opportunities and events to practice these particular skills in and around Windsor. Passing through locks and under bridges on a River Thames boat trip is a good place to start. Or an open top bus tour around the town. Sampling fine dining at a Michelin starred restaurant or enjoying a local brew in the Duchess of Cambridge pub. But be warned; although it’s OK to have a photo taken beside a guard, it is not OK to distract them or make them laugh. So keep the smiles and waves for people who can reciprocate!

Watch Changing the Guard

One of the highlights of a visit to Windsor and usually accompanied by a band, Changing the Guard takes place within Windsor Castle at 11:00 throughout the year (see the Changing the Guard page for the monthly schedule).  The best viewing point to watch the guards march, minutes before, between Victoria Barracks and Windsor Castle is the Corn Exchange at the famous Windsor Guildhall. Once inside the Castle, you can watch the actual changing ceremony.

Spend the weekend in Windsor

Windsor Castle was Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite weekend retreat and is now an official residence of His Majesty The King. The world’s oldest and largest inhabited castle includes the State Apartments, St George's Chapel (burial place of 11 monarchs including Queen Elizabeth II) and Queen Mary's Dolls' House set in the magnificent Windsor Great Park. Windsor hotels and guest accommodation offer short break ideas and packages, ideal for relaxing before going back to the day job.  Take a look at our Special Offers too for the latest Windsor accommodation package ideas.