Royal Collection Trust/ King Charles III
The Christmas tree at one of the oldest royal castles in the world is now sparkling for visitors.
The decorations at Windsor Castle have gone up as Advent gets under way and they have an historic theme in 2023.
It’s the 675th anniversary of the foundation of the Order of the Garter and it’s the symbol of this ancient group that tops the magnificent Nordmann fir in St. George’s Hall at Windsor.
The tree was felled in Windsor Great Park and placed at the head of the hall. It is 25 feet tall, reaching almost to the famous ceiling of St. George’s where the shields of past Knights of the Garter are displayed.
Its branches are decorated with 33,500 lights.
Other trees are dotted around the Castle with one in the Crimson Drawing Room decked with miniature Garter Stars.
The table in the Waterloo Chamber has been set for an anniversary Christmas dinner. The porcelain is from the Garter Service, decorated again with the star, and with the Order’s motto ‘Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense’, meaning ‘evil be to him who thinks evil of it’.
There are also garlands and wreaths festooning the outside of the castle.
Visitors can enjoy the decorations between now and January 1st 2024.