Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is, along with Buckingham Palace in London and Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, one of the principal official residences of the British monarch. Queen Elizabeth II stays there on many weekends of the year, as well as during the prestigious Royal Meeting at the nearby Ascot Racecourse. It claims the distinction of being the largest occupied castle in the world, and among the oldest.

Life in the castle

Queen Elizabeth II uses the castle as her principal home, as have most Sovereigns for the past 1,000 years. The castle is in the charge of the Constable and Governor, and the day-to-day operations are under the Superintendent, who is an officer of the Master of the Household's Department of the Royal Household.

Related Topics:
Elizabeth II - Sovereign - Constable - Governor - Superintendent - Master of the Household's Department - Royal Household

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Constable receives no salary, but has a residence in the Castle. From 1833 to 1957 the office was mostly filled by a member of the Royal Family, but now it is held by a senior retired officer of the armed forces of the Crown. He is the representative of the Lord Chamberlain within the Castle. The Constable also has nominal charge of its garrison, including the Windsor Castle Guard of the Foot Guards of the Household Division, as well as of the Military Knights of Windsor. The posts of Constable and Governor have been joined since 1660.

Related Topics:
1833 - 1957 - Royal Family - Crown - Lord Chamberlain - Windsor Castle Guard - Foot Guards - Household Division - Military Knights of Windsor

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There was a Deputy Constable and Lieutenant-Governor from 1833 to 1989. From 1964 he was also Governor of the Military Knights of Windsor, until the office was abolished in 1989. At one time there was also a separate Constable of the Round Tower. From 1928 to 1935 this was held jointly with the post of Deputy Constable.

Related Topics:
Deputy Constable - Lieutenant-Governor - 1833 - 1989 - 1964 - Governor of the Military Knights of Windsor - Round Tower - 1928 - 1935

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~