9 March 1999 Windsor, England

Windsor is near London.  The Queen has a home here in which she visits and stays.  I got off the train and headed into the town center. As you make your way from the train station, you walk through a marvelous little shopping arcade (upscale stores and restaurants). Windsor Castle sits upon a high hill (ugh a climb), it is such an unbelievably huge estate. Originally built in 1070 by William the Conqueror in wood, now made of solid stone.

5t. George's Chapel started to be built in 1475 (Gothic) and finished in 1528 (Renaissance). This is the Chapel that Edward III used as the spiritual center for the Order of the Knights of the Garter based on the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Saint George's Chapel caught fire a few years ago and has been marvelously restored.  That year the queen referred to it as annus horribilis.  Prince Andrew was at the castle at the time of the fire.  He initiated saving many of the treasures in the Chapel.

This is where Prince Edward and Sophie Ryes-Jones are to be married this summer (June 19th). I can't wait to see her dress.

QEII's grandparents

QEII's parents

There were 10 monarchs entombed here. I saw tombs of Napoleon III, Princess Charlotte daughter of King George VI, King George V and Queen Mary, King George VI (Queen Elizabeth II father), King Edward IV, King George III, King George IV, King William IV, King Henry VIII, King Charles I, King Henry VI, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra (Queen Elizabeth's Grandparents).

Plaques of Knights Crests

Knights Gallery

What was interesting was called the Garter Stalls. Carved between 1478 and 1485, each living Knight of the Garter (from the 14th century to now) have a banner (flags), helmets and crest (shield) over a stall with copper or brass plates bearing their coat of arms either enameled or painted. While St. George's Chapel is not real impressive, the Prince Albert Memorial Chapel was an intimate and beautiful place. I would much prefer that over St. George's. The east terrace garden was green and very manicured, but we were not allowed to go there. I was able to see it from the windows of the state apartments.

Here are some postcards of the state apartments - once again, no photos/no video allowed inside.
Throne Room Presence Chamber Audience Chamber

Prince Albert Memorial Chapel

Ceilings are molded with egg whites and horse hair with gold leaf or have a fantastic painting on them.

Walls are often wood paneled or regally wallpapered (now) with huge tapestries hung on them for decoration, but in the past, used for warmth to shield the walls (some being 500+ years old). Many are the size of the wall.

Floors were mostly hardwoods with fine oriental carpets still in good shape although faded with time (some being hundreds of years old). You will find some rooms with wall to wall carpeting.