spring cleaning! Queen’s Windsor Castle House staff dust the large chandeliers in the Waterloo Chamber ahead of its reopening to the public
- Windsor Castle staff have given the final check and polish to five large chandeliers in the Waterloo Chamber
- Five intricate cut glass elements were inspected and cleaned by a team of white-gloved royal experts
- The cleaning comes as the Waterloo Chamber reopens to the public after two months for renovations
- The chamber is one of the largest rooms in Berkshire Castle and has traditionally been used for investiture
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Windsor Castle staff have given the grand chandeliers in the Waterloo Chamber a final dust and shine ahead of their reopening to the public tomorrow.
Conservators wore white gloves as they inspected and cleaned five intricate cut glass elements that had been lowered from the 14-meter ceiling to near the floor.
Covered by scaffolding during renovations for 20 months, the space will welcome visitors again on Saturday, April 9th.
The grandiose chamber dedicated to the defeat of the French at the Battle of Waterloo is one of the largest rooms in Berkshire Castle and is traditionally used for investitures.
In earlier years, the Queen took up official residence at Windsor Castle for a month at Easter and presided over the investiture ceremonies at the castle throughout the year.
However, earlier this month it was reported that Her Majesty has decided to make Windsor Castle her permanent home and principal residence – she never fully returned to Buckingham Palace.
Windsor Castle staff have given the grand chandeliers in the Waterloo Chamber a final dust and shine ahead of their reopening to the public tomorrow
Conservators wore white gloves as they inspected and cleaned five intricate cut glass elements that had been lowered from the 14-meter ceiling to near the floor
Covered by scaffolding during 20 months of renovations, the space welcomes visitors again on Saturday April 9 and staff gave the gems a final inspection before reopening
The design of the impressive chandeliers was installed in 1862 and approved by Queen Victoria’s consort Prince Albert shortly before his death.
Cleaning jobs in the chamber included replacing the roof, and cleaning and preserving the lantern windows and ceiling of the room, as well as the chandeliers.
Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and is open to visitors all year round.
The Waterloo Chamber is the busiest room in Windsor Castle. It is on the main visitor route and is open to the public for most of the year.
The design of the impressive chandeliers was installed in 1862 and approved by Queen Victoria’s consort Prince Albert shortly before his death. Staff were seen today giving a final dusting to the chandeliers ahead of the Waterloo Chamber’s reopening on Sunday
The Waterloo Chamber at Windsor Castle reopens for two months on Sunday and royal staff were seen giving the room’s five chandeliers a final inspection and cleaning
A Windsor Castle staff member inspects a chandelier in the Waterloo Chamber ahead of the room’s reopening on Sunday
The grandiose chamber dedicated to the defeat of the French at the Battle of Waterloo is one of the largest rooms in Berkshire Castle and features five large chandeliers
The room celebrated the British victory over France at the end of the Napoleonic Wars and is decorated with portraits of important figures from the period – including General Archduke Charles of Austria.
His portrait is considered to be one of the greatest generals in Europe during the Napoleonic Wars. His portrait shows the figure wearing his Austrian army uniform and grasping a drawn sword.
The Queen spent much of the lockdown in Windsor with Prince Philip until his death in April last year – with sources saying the couple “rediscovered the happiness of their early years together” while being cared for by just a skeleton staff.
Cleaning jobs in the chamber included replacing the roof, and cleaning and preserving the lantern windows and ceiling of the room, as well as the chandeliers
The Waterloo Chamber is the busiest room in Windsor Castle. It is on the main visitor route and is open to the public for most of the year
The room celebrated Britain’s victory over France at the end of the Napoleonic Wars and is adorned with portraits of important figures from the period and the five stunning chandeliers
Her decision may have been influenced by the ongoing refurbishment of her central London residence, which is undergoing refurbishment or work that will last until 2027.
Royal author Hugo Vickers told the Sunday Times: “Windsor is the place she loves. She has her memories of Prince Philip there, her ponies there and her family nearby. It makes sense.’
Windsor also brings the monarch closer to Prince Andrew, who lives at Rowe Lodge on the Windsor estate, and Prince Edwards and his wife Sophie Wessex, who are a 10-mile drive away at Bagshot Park.
Prince Charles, the Duke of Cambridge and the Princess Royal also regularly visit the Queen in Windsor.