This Christmas, visitors to the official royal residences will see the State Apartments decked with twinkling lights, garlands, and shimmering Christmas trees to celebrate the festive season.
At Windsor Castle, the highlight of the display will be the magnificent 20-foot-high Nordmann Fir Christmas tree in St George’s Hall, taken from Windsor Great Park and dressed with hundreds of iridescent glass and mirrored ornaments. Festive decorations will be spread throughout the State Apartments and Semi-State Apartments, the private rooms of George IV that are only open to visitors during the winter months.
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the births of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, the Octagon Dining Room will feature a special display of gifts exchanged between the royal couple during the many Christmases they spent together at Windsor Castle. In the State Dining Room, the table will be laid with silver-gilt pieces from the spectacular Grand Service, commissioned by George IV and still used today by The Queen and her guests at State Banquets.
The decorations at the Palace of Holyroodhouse will include a 15-foot high Christmas tree in the Great Gallery, adorned with shimmering decorations and sparkling lights, while the Great Stair leading to the historic State Apartments will be draped with twinkling velvet garlands, glistening berries, and seasonal foliage. The Royal Dining Room will be laid with pieces from a silver service presented to George V and Queen Mary in 1935 to mark their Silver Jubilee, and decorated with flowers, wreaths, and spires of faux candied sugar fruits.
In the Café at the Palace in the historic Mews courtyard, visitors can enjoy homemade mince pies, Christmas cake and mulled wine or treat themselves to a Christmas-themed afternoon tea. At both the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Windsor Castle, visitors can browse for Christmas gift inspiration in the Royal Collection Trust shops, where ranges of handmade limited edition and commemorative chinaware, cuddly corgis and festive food and drink make perfect presents.
On selected dates in December, visitors can enjoy a Private Evening Tour of the royal residences. The tours, available at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, are led by an expert guide and offer a special behind-the-ropes experience.
All tickets include a glass of champagne, a copy of the Official Souvenir Guide and a 20% discount at Royal Collection Trust shops.
