Kadish, Edmunds and I took a trip out to Windsor Castle early this morning despite the threat of rain (honestly, when isn't there a THREAT of rain). We took a beautiful train ride through the country side up to the gates of the castle. This is the largest castle in England that is still being used by the Royal family. The Queen comes here on the weekends to relax away from State functions and business. (If I had such an amazing "weekend home" I wouldn't spend only my weekends there). Since it was the weekend
we found out that she was home - the flag containing her crest was flying high above the tower. As we walked up to the entrance we were privileged to see the changing of the guard leave the courtyard in all their official glory. Before touring the State Apartments we visited "Queen Mary's Doll House" which is a doll's house made to scale. Okay, so that's not all that's amazing about this scaled down version of Buckingham Palace in the 50s...it has electricity, working plumbing, actual diamonds in the crown jewels, silver platters and gold silverware on the dining table, actual paintings made by the artists of the large version, miniature books with all of the pages/illustrations, and even the tiniest combs and ribbons on the dressing tables...all smaller than your thumbnail. The next hallway contained two dolls belonging to two princesses (I can't remember which two) and the little accessories. There were actual fur shawls, shoes, diamond bracelets,
silk dresses, and even a motorized car all made for these two and a half feet tall dolls. It's mind-blowing! It was built, not for children, but for her love of miniature things. Painters, writers, artists, politicians, etc would give her pieces and furniture to keep her collection growing. (Sad to say they didn't allow photography so I don't have any proof to show). Then we saw the State Apartments which to this day are still being used to welcome Royal and Political guests as well as for royal functions. In St. George's Hall, the walls and ceiling were covered in coats of arms for all of the knights going back to the 14th century.
These knights are not the more common kind - Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John - but the more special kind made famous by the tale of King Arthur and the Round Table. These men are specially hand picked by the monarch as the kind who would immediately jump to protect the royalty like knights in shining armor were supposed to. Today there are only 26 at any one time and are called "Knights of the Garter." We spoke with a security guard/guide on duty and asked him for more information and we learned SOO much and it's really fascinating.
Before leaving the castle we paused in St. George's chapel and were in awe of its glory and majesty. (Once again no photos). Inside are buried King Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, Queen Victoria's youngest son and grandson, Princess Margaret and her parents as well as many saints and other unnamed patrons of the church. I loved this part of the day because I've always been fascinated with Henry VIII's story and the Tudor time period so seeing their graves brought the story to life for me and made me realize that these people were more than stories. I was captivated from beginning to end. The organ that took up most of the building was magnificent and I couldn't help but wish I could touch even one key. The pipes were elaborately decorated with vines and flowers and the music, though they were only tuning it, was beyond description. We left feeling exhausted and happy having seen the most beautiful castle there is...at least in my opinion.
Kadish, Edmunds and I took a trip out to Windsor Castle early this morning despite the threat of rain (honestly, when isn't there a THREAT of rain). We took a beautiful train ride through the country side up to the gates of the castle. This is the largest castle in England that is still being used by the Royal family. The Queen comes here on the weekends to relax away from State functions and business. (If I had such an amazing "weekend home" I wouldn't spend only my weekends there). Since it was the weekend 
we found out that she was home - the flag containing her crest was flying high above the tower. As we walked up to the entrance we were privileged to see the changing of the guard leave the courtyard in all their official glory. Before touring the State Apartments we visited "Queen Mary's Doll House" which is a doll's house made to scale. Okay, so that's not all that's amazing about this scaled down version of Buckingham Palace in the 50s...it has electricity, working plumbing, actual diamonds in the crown jewels, silver platters and gold silverware on the dining table, actual paintings made by the artists of the large version, miniature books with all of the pages/illustrations, and even the tiniest combs and ribbons on the dressing tables...all smaller than your thumbnail. The next hallway contained two dolls belonging to two princesses (I can't remember which two) and the little accessories. There were actual fur shawls, shoes, diamond bracelets,
silk dresses, and even a motorized car all made for these two and a half feet tall dolls. It's mind-blowing! It was built, not for children, but for her love of miniature things. Painters, writers, artists, politicians, etc would give her pieces and furniture to keep her collection growing. (Sad to say they didn't allow photography so I don't have any proof to show). Then we saw the State Apartments which to this day are still being used to welcome Royal and Political guests as well as for royal functions. In St. George's Hall, the walls and ceiling were covered in coats of arms for all of the knights going back to the 14th century. 
These knights are not the more common kind - Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John - but the more special kind made famous by the tale of King Arthur and the Round Table. These men are specially hand picked by the monarch as the kind who would immediately jump to protect the royalty like knights in shining armor were supposed to. Today there are only 26 at any one time and are called "Knights of the Garter." We spoke with a security guard/guide on duty and asked him for more information and we learned SOO much and it's really fascinating. 
Before leaving the castle we paused in St. George's chapel and were in awe of its glory and majesty. (Once again no photos). Inside are buried King Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, Queen Victoria's youngest son and grandson, Princess Margaret and her parents as well as many saints and other unnamed patrons of the church. I loved this part of the day because I've always been fascinated with Henry VIII's story and the Tudor time period so seeing their graves brought the story to life for me and made me realize that these people were more than stories. I was captivated from beginning to end. The organ that took up most of the building was magnificent and I couldn't help but wish I could touch even one key. The pipes were elaborately decorated with vines and flowers and the music, though they were only tuning it, was beyond description. We left feeling exhausted and happy having seen the most beautiful castle there is...at least in my opinion.
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