Windsor Tree

From People:

“Christmas at Windsor Castle! See the Holiday Decorations Go Up in Meghan and Harry's Wedding Reception Space”

Windsor Castle has been transformed into a Christmas wonderland. The royal residence — where Queen Elizabeth spent the final years of her life and where Kate Middleton and Prince William frequently hold meetings as their family home is located nearby — is dressed up for the holidays. The Royal Collection Trust shared new photos and videos on Thursday of ornately decorated Christmas trees, wreaths and garlands in St. George's Hall, where Meghan Markle and Prince Harry had their royal wedding reception and memorably introduced their son Prince Archie, now 4, to the world. This year's holiday decorations include nods to King Charles and Queen Camilla's coronation, which took place in May.

The centerpiece of the festive display is a 20-foot-high Nordmann Fir tree in St. George's Hall, grown nearby in Windsor Great Park. This year, it was topped with a specially commissioned Garter Star to commemorate the 675th anniversary of the Order of the Garter, the oldest order of chivalry in Britain. Another Christmas tree topped with a Garter Star will be in the Crimson Drawing Room, one of the most elaborate rooms in the Castle. Part of the semi-state rooms that were created as private apartments for King George IV, these rooms on the east side of the residence are still used by members of the royal family for official entertaining. It's believed that Christmas trees have been sourced from the park for Windsor Castle since the reign of Queen Victoria (1837–1901).

The 160-foot-long dining table in the Waterloo Chamber is decorated with porcelain from the Garter Service, which takes place at Windsor Castle each June, and garlands on the Grand Staircase will welcome visits into the State Apartments. The decorations continue outside, where wreaths and foliage cover the gates and lampposts on the castle grounds.

The Christmas magic at Windsor Castle will be on display until Jan 1. On select dates in December, local school and community choirs will perform carols beneath the Christmas tree in St. George's Hall. Christmas is a special time of year for members of the royal family. In addition to their annual walk to church on Christmas Day (followed by lunch at Sandringham House and watching King Charles' Christmas speech broadcast), they have another event to look forward to: Princess Kate's third annual carol concert at Westminster Abbey on Dec. 8.

This year's event is linked to the Princess of Wales' Shaping Us campaign and organized to “thank all those who work to support babies, young children and families in our communities across the U.K. and a celebration of the golden opportunity that the birth of a new baby brings,” the palace said. Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Princess Kate married in 2011, will light up with performances by its renowned choir plus musical guests Adam Lambert, Beverley Knight, Jacob Collier, Freya Ridings and James Bay.

^ This is so festive. ^

https://people.com/windsor-castle-christmas-decorations-2023-photos-8407983