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Home , Birkhall, Clarence House, Duchess of Cornwall, House of Windsor, The Windsors, Windsor Castle

HISTORY

The Houses of Windsor As the British Royal House celebrates its centenary, Marianka Swain explores its defining residences and the history behind them

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t was anti-German feeling that inspired the birth While the name Gotha in particular had a distinctly Far left: , of the as a royal in unsavoury association – the bombs raining down on right, with his 1917. King George V, with a shrewd grasp of public during the First World War were dropped by cousin, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia sentiment, refuted claims that he held “an alien and Gotha G.IV biplanes – Windsor is a title lent heritage, Above left: Iuninspiring court” by rebranding the House of Saxe- security and gravitas by the of the same name in , and Gotha. It was the first of many astute choices . Home to British monarchs for almost 1,000 home to British that have seen the gradual and necessary adaptation of years, it’s a stalwart survivor of turbulent times, bearing monarchs for this royal clan, enabling it to endure while many others the influence of a variety of rulers. almost 1,000 years have fallen victim to a changing world. The original Windsor Castle was built by William the Above: The ornate Crimson Drawing George V was equally unafraid to separate himself Conqueror following the of 1066 as Room at Windsor from his family’s European history, should it prove one of several defensive motte-and-baileys a day’s march burdensome; he refused to allow the beleaguered from London. King John held negotiations at Windsor Russian Romanovs to seek refuge in , despite before the sealing of in nearby , Tsar Nicholas II being his cousin. One met his and Edward III established the there

HERITAGE IMAGE PARTNERSHIP/ALAMY/PETER PACKER/MARK FIENNES/ PACKER/MARK PARTNERSHIP/ALAMY/PETER IMAGE HERITAGE THE COLLECTION ROYAL HER© MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II doom, the other escaped the era’s royal bloodbath. in the 14th century. Subsequent monarchs made their ➤

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mark, from the in which Henry VIII was buried herself pay for repairs. A compromise was reached, with to Charles II’s Louis XIV-rivalling extravagance, and restoration work funded by opening both Windsor Park George IV’s richly decorated Semi-State Rooms. in Berkshire and London’s Buckingham to the George V continued those centuries of development paying public. That also reflects ’ increasing alongside his wife, Queen Mary, whose love of the visibility and availability to their people – in line with the miniature is evident in her -designed notion of modern celebrity. Windsor Castle has become dolls’ house. The Windsors faced a steep challenge when a major tourist attraction and showcase for art from the Edward VIII broadcast his abdication to the British , alongside its use as HM The Queen’s Empire from the castle in 1936, but successor George VI residence and venue for official entertaining. cannily revived the annual Garter Service at Windsor – occupies a similar role. Built for the re-establishing their monarchical legacy by harking back of Buckingham in 1703, and acquired for to Edward III. by George III in 1761, it became the monarch’s principal A damaging fire at Windsor Castle in 1992 again London residence on the accession of in challenged the place of the crown in modern society, with 1837. Now, it’s a strong symbol of the Windsor-defined a truculent British press demanding Queen Elizabeth constitutional monarchy.

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At Buckingham Palace, Elizabeth II holds regular is closer to the Windsor take on monarchy Opposite page:

audiences with the Prime Minister, receives newly – more that of landed gentry than aloof nobility. Queen The and the appointed ambassadors, confers (such as Victoria and Prince Albert were perhaps the pioneers of ; the knighthoods) in the ballroom and hosts public receptions this approach, constructing the new castle at Balmoral State Entrance at and garden parties. The balcony has become a key to accommodate their growing clan. Balmoral’s multiple Windsor Castle symbol of the Windsors’ carefully cultivated appearances, other buildings include , formerly the official Above: The Queen such as the Queen’s birthday or the VE Day celebrations residence of the Queen Mother and now used by Prince meets the Governor accompanied by . Notices of royal Charles as a summer home, and the extended family General of Papua births and deaths are still fixed to the palace railings takes a hands-on interest in the running of the estate. New Guinea at Buckingham Palace; for the public to read. Keen attention is also paid to the running of Highgrove Princess Charlotte’s The latter indicates the Windsors’ shifting of emphasis House, the Gloucestershire residence of Prince Charles birth is announced from monarch to as a whole. In Scotland, the and the Duchess of Cornwall. Since his arrival in on the Palace gates Queen carries out ceremonial duties at the 16th-century 1980, His has transformed the 18th- Palace of Holyroodhouse, such as the Presentation of century house and its extensive grounds according

ROYAL COLLECTIONROYAL TRUST HER© MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II/ STILLWELL/ PICTURE ARCHIVE/ALAMY/JOHN ALLIANCE DPA POOL/GETTY/HELOISE/ALAMY WPA the Keys of the City of Edinburgh, but Balmoral in to his architectural tastes and passion for organic, ➤

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Right: , the London residence of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall Below: The late Queen Mother celebrates her 60th birthday with, from left, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew and Princess Anne, at Clarence House

Joint monarchs William and Mary bought , originally a Jacobean mansion known as Nottingham House, in 1689; Sir was instructed to expand the house for their use. It later sustainable farming and gardening. Highgrove is became the London residence of the Prince of Wales demonstrable evidence of Prince Charles’s championing following his marriage to , and their sons went to of environmental and charitable causes. school nearby. Following the couple’s divorce, Diana The Windsors have become adept at the use of such remained in residence at Kensington, which subsequently soft power at their residences, rather than became a beacon for mourners after her death – another overt displays of wealth and military might of their pivotal moment for the Windsors, and one that sorely predecessors. The younger Windsors tread a fine line tested their ability to respond swiftly to public demand. between fairytale royalty and relatable, everyday folk, The young princes have been instrumental in and Highgrove was, for a time, also just the home of a rehabilitating the Windsor image, with William’s new family: Charles and wife Diana with their young marriage to Kate Middleton, now the Duchess of

children, Princes William and Harry. Cambridge, contributing to the reframing of the ➤ THE COLLECTION ROYAL HER© MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II/ KEYSTONE PICTURES USA/ALAMY

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“The House of Windsor balances grandeur with approachability, and looks set to thrive for another 100 years”

Above: family as appealing and forward-looking. In 2011, Sandringham, the renovations were carried out to prepare Kensington Queen’s country Palace for the newlyweds, with original features such retreat in Norfolk Right: A royal as the crown mouldings retained, but updated heating shooting party and electrics installed: emblematic of a couple skilled at Sandringham, at harmonising old and new. during a visit of Prince William previously occupied another Kaiser Wilhelm II London royal residence, Clarence House. It was built of Germany in the 1820s to a design by , commissioned by the – later William IV. Princess members were frequent guests at Sandringham, and their Anne was born there in 1950 to Princess Elizabeth and gifts still adorn it, from enamel and silver trinkets to the Prince Philip, and the Prince of Wales returned there in fine Dresden porcelain chandelier and mirror frame from 2003 following the death of the Queen Mother. It’s now Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany. his official working residence, but also displays much That Germanic link isn’t one the Windsor-creating of the art and personal taste of his late grandmother. George V would choose to champion, but the long-

The Windsors may be comparatively progressive serving Queen Elizabeth II – who opened Sandringham royals, but they maintain that historical role as patrons, to the public in her Silver Jubilee year, 1977 – has far less collectors and curators. Norfolk retreat Sandringham was cause to be nervous of public sentiment than her ancestor. bought in 1870 by Edward VII and Queen Alexandra – She leads a family that judiciously balances grandeur with then the Prince and – and displays the approachability, and which, if it continues to successfully

Princess’s passion for objets d’art. European royal family evolve, looks set to thrive for another 100 years. n ARCHIVE/ALAMY ART THE

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