£45.50 (Non JG member)
Overview
Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. It is open to visitors throughout the year. Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it has since been the home of 39 monarchs. The safety and wellbeing of our visitors and staff are our priority. In order to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit, we have closed a small number of rooms where social distancing cannot be easily maintained including Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House; and Precinct Tours are temporarily unavailable. We hope to reopen these spaces soon and when it is safe to do so. The exciting changes made earlier this year include a brand new café in the original medieval Undercroft which opened in March 2020, improved step free access, reinstating the Castle’s Inner Hall and revealing the magnificent view of the Long Walk to the public for the first time. The Undercroft Café is open with a limited menu and reduced seating capacity to ensure social distancing can be maintained. Please use the hand sanitiser provided and put on a face covering before entering the Café. Face coverings must be worn when purchasing food and drink at the till point (exemptions excluded) but can be removed once sat at a table. HRH Princess Beatrice of York’s wedding dress, first worn by Her Majesty The Queen in the 1960s, will be on public display at Windsor Castle. Designed by the renowned British fashion designer Sir Norman Hartnell, the dress was loaned to Her Royal Highness by Her Majesty The Queen for her wedding to Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi on 17 July 2020. It is made of ivory peau de soie taffeta, and the skirt is trimmed with a band of ivory duchesse satin. The dress is an example of Hartnell’s signature crinoline silhouette and love of embellishment, as seen in the geometric hand embroidery in crystals and diamantés over the bodice, waist and hips. Sir Norman Hartnell’s original design was altered for Princess Beatrice under the direction of Miss Angela Kelly, Personal Advisor, Dresser and Curator to The Queen, and the British fashion designer Mr Stewart Parvin. The full-skirted silhouette was softened to give a more contemporary, simplified shape, and the underskirt and petticoats were recreated and bound with silk tulle. Short sleeves of triple organza were added to the straps and embroidered with vintage diamantés to match the original Hartnell embroidery design. The display at Windsor Castle will also feature Princess Beatrice’s wedding shoes, made by Valentino and previously worn by Her Royal Highness on occasions including the wedding of TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011. In addition, a replica of Her Royal Highness’s bridal bouquet made from artificial flowers has been created for the display.