Windsor Castle unveils first royal Christmas display after Queen Elizabeth II’s death

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

The official royal residence at Windsor Castle has unveiled its stunning 2022 Christmas display.

This year’s extravagant spread displays mark the first under the new monarch King Charles III following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

His Majesty became King following the late monarch’s death on Sept. 8 aged 96.

Windsor Castle, which famously served as the late monarch’s main residence towards the end of her life, opted for a lavish festive display to mark the first Christmas with Charles as King.

The castle holds a significant meaning to the British monarchy as the late Queen and her deceased family members, are buried at the site.

Queen Elizabeth II’s final resting place is alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, her father King George VI, the Queen Mother Elizabeth, and her sister Princess Margaret.

During this festive season, the general public is welcome to see the Christmas display in the castle’s State Apartments, which have all been adorned with Christmas trees, lights, festive garlands, and a spectacular table display in the Waterloo Chamber, one of the largest rooms in the residence.

The Semi-State Rooms, the opulent private apartments originally created for George IV, are also open to the public during the winter months.

The castle boasts a 20-foot-high Nordmann Fir tree in St George’s Hall, grown in Windsor Great Park and dressed with 3,000 lights, hundreds of iridescent jewel-shaped ornaments, and purple velvet and satin ribbons.

Wreaths and garlands also decorate the Grand Staircase, gates, and lampposts in the Castle Precincts, which feature hand-gilded fruits and foliage inspired by the Grinling Gibbons carvings found around the Castle’s State Apartments.

While Buckingham Palace opted to decorate more subtly this year, it did, however, open its doors to the general public and is currently offering guided tours in and around the State Rooms.

In the company of an expert guide, the tour takes you through special rooms in the palace that are not usually open to the public.

Christmas at Windsor Castle is open until January 2.

Ruling from 1952 until her death, Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history.

Her Majesty was at her royal residence in Balmoral Castle at the time of her death. Her coffin was brought to Westminster Hall before the funeral, and later taken to Windsor Castle for a private burial.