A Royal Tour of Windsor Castle
Report by Deputy Master, James Minett
My sincere thanks to my schoolfriend and fellow Liveryman, Martin Royal, for introducing me to Lieutenant General Phil Jones, Governor of Windsor Castle. Following his excellent speech at our May Banquet last year, he kindly hosted an enchanting private tour of the Castle for 20 members.
The visit, on Tuesday 24th March, took place on a day when the Castle was closed to the public, giving us the rare privilege of enjoying its splendour in peace. Highlights included the magnificence of the building itself, His Majesty The King’s re-landscaped gardens, St George’s Chapel, and the superb State Rooms.
Each room was entirely distinct – from the Crimson Room to the Green and White Rooms. While I had expected opulent plasterwork, the scale and intricacy far exceeded my expectations. The 1992 fire destroyed 112 rooms, including 12 State Rooms. Several members of the Plaisterers’ Company were involved in the remarkable restoration, including Ian Constantinides (St Blaise), David Harrison (Hayles and Howe), Maurice Rugg (George Jackson & Son), John (Bunny) Joy (A J Joy), and Past Master Terry Wright (Troika) – who kindly compiled a document detailing the works undertaken by our members for the tour. It was also a pleasure to have Freeman Ian Holloway, a lime plasterer currently working at the Castle, join us on the tour.
Thirty years after the Castle reopened in 1996, the quality of their craftsmanship remains truly awe inspiring. Photography was not permitted, but a glimpse of the interiors can be seen here: https://www.rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle/highlights-of-windsor-castle
Lieutenant General Jones proved a superb guide, bringing the Castle vividly to life with his deep knowledge of its 1,000-year history, its royal residents, and those laid to rest there – including Henry VIII, Charles I, George III, and Queen Elizabeth II. He also drew our attention to its remarkable treasures including paintings by Rubens, Holbein and Van Dyck; Queen Mary’s exquisitely detailed dolls’ house; and the rather creepy memorial in St George’s Chapel to Princess Charlotte, with her fingers dangling out from under her shroud. The Castle is a place of extraordinary beauty and historical significance. All who attended are deeply grateful to Lieutenant General Jones for his generosity, insight, and time – and for the special privilege of remaining for Evensong in St George’s Chapel.
