More of London’s interesting architecture on the way to Windsor Castle.
This is a Bus Terminal in Slough England on the way to Windsor Castle.
Windsor Castle is truly amazing. It began as a fortress just after the Norman conquest of England in 1066. It has been added onto by various royalty and today is a fortress that has been transformed into a palace. Many of the extended royal family live here and Queen Elizabeth comes out from Buckingham Palace most weekends. When you visit Versailles outside Paris, it is very crowded and almost none of the furnishings remain. You mainly visit Versailles for the art work on the walls and ceilings. Windsor Palace on the other hand is much like Fountaine Blu Palace in that it contains all the period furnishings either originals or restorations. Windsor sits on a high hill a few miles outside London. I do not know if it has ever been attacked, but if there is an impregnable castle, this is it. Like most active palaces, no interior photography is allowed due to security reasons. Trust me, the inside is beautiful.
The courtyard of the Royal Apartments. This area is not open to the public.
In the center of the palace complex is the “Keep.” This would have been the last refuge of the king in an attack. Sort of the “safe room” where he would end up if all other fortifications had been breached. There is a moat within the castle walls surrounding the final keep.
St George’s Chapel is the working chapel for the castle. It is always closed on Sunday due to family religious services. The inside is amazing with all the coats of arms of the Knights of the Garter, the highest level of knighthood. Forget the Sir Elton John and the Sir Paul McCartney. Those titles are 9 levels below the Knights of the Garter.
The flag is hard to see, but the Royal Banner is flying from the flagpole on the Keep indicating that Queen Elizabeth was at Windsor that day.
Above is the “Crooked House.” It appears ready to fall down, but is still an operating shop. Everything around it is modern construction so this was either a hold out in the property sales or someone did not have the heart to tear it down.
Rows of restaurants and shops outside Windsor.
Funny telephone booth. The four sides picture Kate Middleton, Queen Elizabeth, Prince William and Prince Charles on the phone.
Royal Mews – Horses and Carriages
The Royal Mews is outside Buckingham Palace and is the place of residence for all the kings horses and carriages. The horses are specially bred to serve the royalty.
Architecture in the Mews dates from the Queen Victoria period. All the horsemen, farriers, and harness makers have apartments on the site so it is a small village of people who do nothing but take care of horses and carriages. Below are some of the carriages used by the Queen. One was used this week to transport the Royal Crown from the Tower of London where the crown jewels are kept to Westminster Palace for the queen to wear for the opening of Parliament. Another was used to transport the queen from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster (Parliament) for the opening ceremonies.
One of the sever royal vehicles owned by the State. This one is a 1958 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow. Needless to say you could see yourself in the paint.
The harness room.
These stables are now too small for the horses, but they are brought in 4 times a year for the queen’s visit to her horses. It is said that she knows them all by name and was quite a horsewoman in her time. No longer able to ride, but she still loves her horses.
Golden coronation carriage built on orders of King George III. Yes, the king at the time of the American Revolution so that tells you how old this carriage is. It is too large to use for ordinary occasions so now is only used for coronations and was used last year for the queen’s diamond anniversary.
Part of the livery worn by the footmen.
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