Our first stop was Windsor Castle. At 900 years, it is the oldest continuously inhabited royal residence in Europe. It is the royal residence the Queen calls "home" , and she spends most weekends here. We were made to understand shortly after arrival that it is the queen's home by a guard who explained to someone in our group that the reason that pictures inside the castle are banned is because 1) the flash damages some metal; 2) the flash damages some artwork and tapestry; and 3) the queen doesn't like people taking pictures of her home, AND IT IS HER HOME! Much like Buckingham Palace, the state apartments at Windsor contain one magnificent architectural interior after another and the art collection is priceless. The visit featured a couple of memorable moments including Olivia walking through the Garter Hall and correctly identifying the portraits of each of the Kings and Queens of England that adorn the walls simply by sight. Meredith took an audio guide and proved herself an avid learner of the history of the place. Cecily enjoyed Queen Mary's doll house with its miniature objects and working plumbing and electricity in tiny scale. Our favorite moment, however, was provided by the tour guide who referred at one point to George III as "America's last king." While that is probably technically accurate, I don't think any American ever thought about our country ever having had a monarch!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Windsor Castle: Royal Fun
Our first stop was Windsor Castle. At 900 years, it is the oldest continuously inhabited royal residence in Europe. It is the royal residence the Queen calls "home" , and she spends most weekends here. We were made to understand shortly after arrival that it is the queen's home by a guard who explained to someone in our group that the reason that pictures inside the castle are banned is because 1) the flash damages some metal; 2) the flash damages some artwork and tapestry; and 3) the queen doesn't like people taking pictures of her home, AND IT IS HER HOME! Much like Buckingham Palace, the state apartments at Windsor contain one magnificent architectural interior after another and the art collection is priceless. The visit featured a couple of memorable moments including Olivia walking through the Garter Hall and correctly identifying the portraits of each of the Kings and Queens of England that adorn the walls simply by sight. Meredith took an audio guide and proved herself an avid learner of the history of the place. Cecily enjoyed Queen Mary's doll house with its miniature objects and working plumbing and electricity in tiny scale. Our favorite moment, however, was provided by the tour guide who referred at one point to George III as "America's last king." While that is probably technically accurate, I don't think any American ever thought about our country ever having had a monarch!
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