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- The British royal family’s Windsor Castle measures 484,000 square feet and has around 1,000 rooms.
- It often hosts world leaders for state visits, including President Donald Trump during his UK visit.
- State dinners are held in St George’s Chapel, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wed in 2018.
King Charles’ royal real-estate portfolio is worth an estimated $9.5 billion.
Among the Crown’s many assets is the 484,000-square-foot Windsor Castle, the largest occupied castle in the world.
Over its 1,000-year history, Windsor Castle has been home to 40 monarchs and hosted numerous world leaders during state visits to the UK.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will meet with royal family members at Windsor Castle during their second state visit on Wednesday. Their ceremonial welcome reception will include a carriage ride, royal gun salute, and military jet flyover.
Take a look inside Windsor Castle.
Windsor Castle was built by William the Conqueror between 1070 and 1086.
Windsor Castle is located in the English county of Berkshire. The Royal Collection Trust manages the site.
At 484,000 square feet, it is the largest occupied castle in the world.
The castle features around 1,000 rooms, including historic State Rooms and Semi-State Rooms built as part of renovations and expansions by various monarchs through the years.
During her reign, Queen Elizabeth II used the castle as her weekend residence.
She also lived there during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to using it as a private living space, monarchs hold audiences with diplomats, politicians, and other notable figures in the residence.
King Charles III welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Windsor Castle in June.
Windsor Castle often hosts world leaders from other countries for state visits.
During state visits, world leaders may enter the grounds on horse-drawn carriages, inspect a Guard of Honour in the castle’s Quadrangle, and enjoy a private audience in one of the castle’s State Rooms.
During state visits, state banquets are held in St George’s Chapel.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wed at St George’s Chapel in 2018. It is also the final resting place of 11 monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth II.
The Grand Reception Room hosts special exhibits and investitures, where honorees receive medals from the royal family.
Once the castle’s main ballroom, the gilded walls and plaster ceiling in the Grand Reception room are covered in gold.
Harry and Meghan’s wedding outfits were displayed in the Grand Reception Room in 2019 in an exhibition titled, “A Royal Wedding: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”
Waterloo Chamber, one of the largest rooms at Windsor Castle, functions as another ceremonial and event space.
Commissioned by King George IV in the 1820s, the Waterloo Chamber was built to commemorate Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo in 1815.
Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, completed in 1924, is on permanent display at Windsor Castle.
Constructed by architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, the miniature mansion was gifted to Queen Mary by her childhood friend, Princess Marie Louise. It features a tiny library with handwritten books, 774 miniature pieces of artwork, working electricity, and running water.
First lady Melania Trump is scheduled to visit Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House with Queen Camilla on Thursday.
The grounds of Windsor Castle span 13 acres.
Queen Elizabeth II was known to enjoy horseback riding on the grounds of Windsor Castle, which also feature several formal gardens.
The castle isn’t just open to royals and their distinguished guests — members of the public can tour the historic site, as well.
Adult admission costs £31, or around $42, when purchased in advance. The full schedule of public tours is available on the Royal Collection Trust’s official website.
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