Windsor Castle Timeline

During the First Barons' War, rebel barons supported by Prince Louis of France besieged Windsor Castle. The castle withstood the siege thanks to its strong defenses and the loyalty of its constable, remaining a key royalist stronghold.

Image source: First Barons' War

After his execution in January 1649, Charles I was buried quietly at night in St George's Chapel. During the Civil War years the castle had been held by Parliamentary forces and used as a prison for royalist officers.

Image source: Charles I of England

Amid anti-German sentiment during World War I, George V proclaimed that the royal family would adopt the name House of Windsor, taking the name directly from the ancestral castle that had served the monarchy for centuries.

Image source: House of Windsor

During World War II, Windsor Castle was prepared against air raids: chandeliers were lowered, artworks removed or protected, and the royal children, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, were secretly sheltered there during the Blitz.

From Windsor Castle, the 14-year-old Princess Elizabeth delivered her first public radio broadcast on Children's Hour, addressing evacuated British children with words of courage and reassurance during the darkest days of the war.

Image source: Elizabeth II

On Victory in Europe Day, Princess Elizabeth celebrated at Windsor before joining the crowds incognito in London that evening, describing the joy of freedom after six years of war.

Image source: Victory in Europe Day

The future King Edward III was born at Windsor Castle during the reign of his father Edward II. His birth at the castle cemented its role as a principal royal residence and nursery for future monarchs.

Image source: Edward III of England

King Edward III founded the Order of the Garter, England's most prestigious order of chivalry, at Windsor Castle, establishing St George's Chapel as its spiritual home and making the castle the ceremonial heart of English knighthood.

Image source: Order of the Garter

Henry VIII, who had done so much to develop Windsor Castle and its chapel, was interred in a vault beneath the quire of St George's Chapel alongside Jane Seymour, beginning the chapel's long tradition as a royal burial place.

Image source: Henry VIII

With the Restoration of the monarchy, Charles II reclaimed Windsor Castle and began restoring its neglected buildings, reviving the Order of the Garter ceremonies that had lapsed during the Interregnum.

Image source: Charles II of England

George III favored Windsor over London, making the castle his family home and center of government. He commissioned James Wyatt to carry out Gothic alterations, though many were later criticized as unsympathetic.

Image source: George III

Victoria and Albert adopted Windsor Castle as their favorite family home after their marriage, filling it with their children and commissioning improvements such as private chapels and gardens, making it the emotional center of Victorian royal life.

Image source: Queen Victoria

Prince Albert died of typhoid fever in the Blue Room at Windsor Castle. His death devastated Queen Victoria, who thereafter withdrew from public life and kept the castle as a shrine to his memory for decades.

Image source: Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

Queen Victoria built the Royal Mausoleum at Frogmore in the Home Park of Windsor Castle for herself and Prince Albert. It was completed in 1871, and both monarchs were eventually interred there.

Image source: Royal Mausoleum, Frogmore

Following Diana's funeral service at Westminster Abbey, she was buried on an island in the Round Lake at Althorp; her cortege had passed through Windsor, and the castle grounds hosted members of the grieving royal family and public mourners.

Image source: Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales

Prince Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall, followed by a Service of Prayer and Dedication at St George's Chapel within Windsor Castle and a reception hosted by the Queen at the castle.

Image source: Wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles

Prince Harry married American actress Meghan Markle in a globally televised ceremony at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, watched by millions worldwide and followed by a carriage procession through the town of Windsor.

Image source: Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Princess Eugenie married Jack Brooksbank at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, becoming the second royal bride to wed there that year, followed by a carriage procession through Windsor Great Park.

Image source: Wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who died aged 99 at Windsor Castle, was laid to rest in the Royal Vault of St George's Chapel at an intimate pandemic-era funeral attended by only thirty mourners.

Image source: Death and funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully at Balmoral but her coffin rested at Windsor; after her state funeral at Westminster Abbey, she was interred alongside Prince Philip in the George VI Memorial Chapel within St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Image source: Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II

Edward VII introduced electric lighting, central heating, and modern bathrooms to Windsor Castle, bringing the ancient fortress up to Edwardian standards of comfort while preserving its historic character.

Image source: Edward VII

On ascending the throne, Elizabeth II continued the tradition of using Windsor Castle as her weekend home, spending most private weekends there and making it the setting for numerous state visits and investitures.