Queen To Have Christmas Dinner In Windsor Castle's Extravagant Dining Room

Dec 22, 2021 by apost team

On Monday, Dec. 20, multiple outlets reported that Queen Elizabeth II would depart from tradition for the second year in a row, opting to celebrate Christmas at Windsor Castle rather than at Sandringham House in Norfolk. According to The Guardian, the queen’s decision was “a personal one taken after careful consideration,” which “reflected her precautionary approach during the pandemic.”

Last year, the queen spent Christmas in isolation with Prince Philip — the first time in more than three decades that the monarch was not with family in Norfolk. 

The 95-year-old monarch, who lost her husband in April 2021, will not spend the holidays alone this year, however. The Guardian further reported that family members will be in attendance at Windsor Castle on Christmas day, though sources insist that the royal family will take appropriate precautions.

The queen’s decision to stay at Windsor Castle for the holidays comes amidst a troubling wave of Omicron infections in the U.K. As of Dec. 21, infections with the new variant were doubling every 48 hours in most regions, and scientists have sounded the alarm.

The queen’s decision to forgo traveling to Norfolk shouldn’t be a surprise in the light of this news, especially since the monarch was hospitalized in November. The queen’s age also puts her at risk for the coronavirus. 

With that said, the royals’ Christmas is sure to be extravagant by most standards. While the queen and her family won’t be seaside, they will get to enjoy Windsor Castle’s extravagant dining room, which looks like something straight out of a storybook.

In Windsor Castle’s State Dining Room, everything is either a beautiful maroon or opulent gold, as the floor is covered in intricate red carpeting and the walls and ceiling are covered in gold paneling.

According to the Royal Collection Trust, William the Conqueror began building Windsor Castle around 1070 — a 16-year endeavor. Although the castle serves as a perfect location for the royal family’s Christmas dinner, it was originally built to guard London from the west. However, Henry II made the castle a bit cozier in the 12th century when he converted it into a palace, adding royal apartments and replacing the castle’s wooden walls with stone.

But it wasn’t until Edward III’s reign that Windsor Castle became a true palace. The medieval king spent more than any of his peers on the castle — around $66,000 — transforming the military fortification into a luxurious private residence.

However, the State Dining Room we know today didn’t exist during Edward’s time, as a fire destroyed much of the palace in 1992. In fact, the dining room was “among the most seriously damaged rooms,” according to the Royal Collection Trust.

“After the fire nothing remained of the elaborate plaster decoration in the Gothic style, introduced by Wyatville for George IV in the late 1820s. However, with the exception of the large sideboard at the west end of the room, the furniture made for the room - by Morel & Seddon, to the designs of A.C. and A.W.N. Pugin - had survived, and the decision was therefore taken to put the room back to its original appearance,” the Royal Collection Trust writes of the fire.

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“At the same time new and richly decorated curtains were made, to the designs of Pamela Lewis, in order to re-create the sumptuous effect originally intended by George IV, and a new carpet was woven to the original pattern,” the trust adds.

The queen and members of the royal family are likely to enjoy the restored dining room on Christmas, though The Guardian reports that it’s still unclear who will be in attendance.

Last year, Prince William and Kate Middleton spent the holidays at their Anmer Hall residence in Norfolk; meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle remained in Montecito, California, where the couple moved after a controversial split from the royal family.

Earlier in December, the queen canceled her family’s holiday party at Buckingham Palace, which normally sees around 50 guests from Charles and Camilla to more extended family members.

The royal family’s Christmas celebration will also not include a public church visit. Normally, members of the royal family take a stroll to St. Mary Magdalene church in Sandringham on Dec. 25.

Of course, Omicron cases are on the rise in the U.K., and thus public health officials are recommending against large gatherings.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the current coronavirus situation “extremely difficult” on Dec. 21, according to Reuters. 

"We will have to reserve the possibility of taking further action to protect the public, and to protect public health and the NHS (National Health Service), and we won't hesitate to take that action," he added.

The queen, who is 95 and was hospitalized in November, is at increased risk for the coronavirus. However, sources say that the royal family will take proper precautions.

We wish the royal family a safe and happy holidays. What do you think of the queen’s Christmas plans? How will you be celebrating this year? Let us know — and be sure to pass this story on to others.