10 Interesting facts about Windsor Castle

Step inside Windsor Castle and you’re walking among royalty, even in death! Over 10 monarchs are buried within St George’s Chapel, including Edward IV, Henry VIII with Jane Seymour, and Queen Elizabeth II. Of all these monarchs, Charles I’s story is especially striking. Executed for treason in 1649, he was quietly laid in Henry VIII’s vault, with no fanfare or royal ceremony, probably being the only monarch in history to receive that treatment.

Before 1917, the royal family had a long, complicated German name: Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. During World War I, that didn’t sit well with the public. This led King George V to choose a new name inspired by Windsor Castle, giving birth to the House of Windsor. The name comes from the Old English “Windlesoren,” meaning “winch by the riverbank,” tying the family forever to this historic home.

Windsor Castle was designed to impress, protect, and safeguard. Built as a fortress, it has withstood centuries of warfare. During the Barons’ War in the 1200s, the castle endured a two-month siege, proving its defenses were nearly impenetrable. Guards were on high alert at all times, ready to rain down boiling oil and heavy stones on any intruders!

When World War II raged over London, Windsor Castle became a royal sanctuary. Hitler wanted it as his British base, but the royal family stayed safely inside. Young Princess Elizabeth and her sister Margaret slept in reinforced dungeons, tucked behind thick walls while bombs fell elsewhere. The castle became their safe haven and a childhood home away from the chaos.

Not all who lived in Windsor were royalty. Windsor Castle has had its own share of fascinating residents over the years. James Holman, an English Royal Navy lieutenant and 19th-century explorer known as “the blind traveler,” was one such person. Having lost his sight early in life, Holman journeyed across continents alone, armed only with a walking stick and determination. When not exploring, he lived at Windsor as a Knight of Windsor.

Windsor Castle’s most iconic tradition is its Changing the Guard. Historically followed since 1660, this tradition happens every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 11am. Soldiers in bright uniforms march with music, drums, and precision, handing over duties in a display of tradition. Less crowded than Buckingham Palace, it’s a spectacle that feels both historic and alive.

Windsor Castle’s uniqueness extends to its castle kitchen as well. Busy cooking royal feasts since the 1360s, the kitchen is the oldest working royal kitchen in the UK. Prince Albert installed the first gas range in 1890, and clocks were set five minutes fast so Queen Elizabeth II would never wait. From medieval banquets to modern state dinners, this kitchen has kept generations of royals well fed.

Windsor Castle is also an art lover’s dream. The walls feature Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck, and Canaletto, from powerful royal portraits to breathtaking cityscapes. It’s a palace that doubles as a gallery, where history and art meet in every hall.

In 1992, Windsor Castle faced a nightmare: a fire that burned for 15 hours, destroying the Grand Reception Room and St George’s Hall. Over 200 firefighters worked tirelessly, saving countless artworks. After five years of restoration, the castle rose from the flames, restored to its former splendor with modern touches hidden beneath historic walls.