30 November 2023 – 1 January 2024

From today, visitors to Windsor Castle will see Christmas displays celebrating the 675th anniversary of the Order of the Garter, the oldest order of chivalry in Britain which was founded in Windsor in 1348.

A magnificent 25-foot-high Nordmann Fir tree in St George's Hall, grown and felled nearby in Windsor Great Park, is the highlight of the Christmas display. Illuminated with 33,500 sparkling lights, it is topped by a specially commissioned Garter Star to commemorate the anniversary.

Another glistening Christmas tree decorated with smaller Garter Stars can be seen in the Crimson Drawing Room – one of the most elaborate rooms in the Castle. Part of the Semi-State Rooms created as private apartments for George IV, these rooms on the east side of the Castle are still used by members of the Royal Family for official entertaining and are open to visitors over the winter months.

In the Waterloo Chamber, the 160-foot-long dining table has been laid with porcelain from the Garter Service, featuring a design inspired by the Garter Star and the Order’s motto ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense (Shame on him who thinks evil of it)’. Three smaller trees feature decorations embroidered with His Majesty The King’s cypher in a nod to the Coronation earlier this year.

Impressive garlands on the Grand Staircase greet visitors as they enter the State Apartments, while outside, festive wreaths and foliage adorn gates and lampposts in the Castle grounds.

After exploring the State Apartments, visitors can treat themselves to a festive menu in the Undercroft Café, available throughout December, where there is another spectacular tree dressed with sparkling Garter Stars to commemorate the anniversary.

 

Christmas Events at Windsor Castle

On select dates in December, local school and community choirs will perform carols beneath the Christmas tree in St George’s Hall.

Families can participate in craft activities and workshops exploring how the Victorians celebrated Christmas, held at the Learning Centre every Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday between Saturday, 16 December 2023 and Monday, 1 January 2024.

St George’s Chapel will be open to visitors to the Castle on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and services are open to all, seven days a week. Advent, the period leading up to Christmas, begins on Sunday, 3 December. The Chapel is the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, and the impressive crests and banners of the current Knights and Ladies can be seen above the Quire stalls.

 

Shopping

Visitors to Windsor Castle will be able to take a memento of the festive displays home with them, with the beaded Garter Star and navy and gold King Charles III decorations used on the trees this year available for purchase online and in Royal Collection Trust shops.