Royal Collection Trust has announced that the Christmas exhibit at Windsor Castle will be open until 1 January 2024. This special display honors the 675th anniversary of the Order of the Garter, the oldest order of chivalry in Britain, founded in Windsor in 1348.
A 25-foot-high Nordmann Fir tree in St George’s Hall, grown and felled nearby in Windsor Great Park, is the highlight of the Christmas display. Illuminated with 33,500 sparkling lights, it is topped by a specially commissioned Garter Star to commemorate the anniversary. Another glistening Christmas tree decorated with smaller Garter Stars can be seen in the Crimson Drawing Room – one of the most elaborate rooms in the Castle. Part of the Semi-State Rooms created as private apartments for George IV, these rooms on the east side of the Castle are still used by members of the Royal Family for official entertaining and are open to visitors over the winter months.
In the Waterloo Chamber, the 160-foot-long dining table has been laid with porcelain from the Garter Service, featuring a design inspired by the Garter Star and the Order’s motto ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense (Shame on him who thinks evil of it)’. Three smaller trees feature decorations embroidered with His Majesty The King’s cypher in a nod to the Coronation earlier this year.
After exploring the State Apartments, visitors are invited to explore the festive menu in the Undercroft Café, available throughout December, where there is another tree dressed with sparkling Garter Stars to commemorate the anniversary.
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