I was at Windsor about three weeks ago - they were just starting to put the Christmas decorations up!
I was totally stunned by the place. Buckingham Palace has a very dusty and "Dolls House" atmosphere in that it looks very much smaller than you imagine and it seems to exist for a particular purpose. Windsor is so much bigger and feels more friendly.
For those interested in such things, my sister was absolutely certain that HM uses those candles with Krispy Kreme scents because every room had the scent of fresh pastries. I tried to explain that I thought that was probably natural but she's insistent
I use beeswax candles (because I love the scent) but this was totally different. It really did smell like Krispy Kreme doughnuts I can't describe it any other way. But each room was slightly different. Some had a sort of chocolate croissant smell and others a more coconut cake sort of smell. Whether it was artificial or natural I don't know.
But my sister had great fun trying to find the coats of arms of the different Garter Knights. She doesn't know much about royalty but she's hugely fond of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children. So she was dashing about the Great Hall finding numbers and matching them to the plaques on the wall!
Interestingly, King Felipe of Spain's coat of arms isn't up on the wall yet and his name hasn't been put on the roll with the rest of the Garter Knights appointed by the Queen - though his banner was in St George's Chapel.
Re Felipe - is that because he is a stranger knight? Not one of the official 24. Was The King of Norway or Queen of Denmark on the roll?
Windsor Castle is cloaked in scaffolding and stone mason specialists work as part of the £27million refurbon January 13.
https://www.rexfeatures.com/livefeed/2018/01/13/windsor_castle_refurbishment
When this idea was mentioned a few days ago, someone said The Earl of Wessex is already managing Windsor.
The Duke of Edinburgh haven’t passed down this official role yet.
How would we know either way? As The Duke spends most of his time at Sandringham I can see it being the case.
Update: The website still lists the DOE, however I still believe Edward could be doing it without the title.
How would we know either way? As The Duke spends most of his time at Sandringham I can see it being the case.
Update: The website still lists the DOE, however I still believe Edward could be doing it without the title.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/...tles-Inner-Hall-opens-visitors-150-years.html
And beautiful rooms they are....
That’s a stunning State Entrance Hall. Such a shame Queen Victoria closed it and used it for storage. Thank goodness its now opened and people can see it.