For the royal family, the holidays have long been one of the most important seasons on the annual calendar. Though Windsor Castle predates Buckingham Palace by centuries, it is the latter where the monarch records the annual Christmas broadcast and hosts a procession of holiday parties. The royal family also usually spends Christmas itself at their private estate, Sandringham. And this year, the Palace is also hosting its first ever Christmas Market, transforming the 200-year-old stables into seasonal pop-up boutiques.
But in recent years, the royal family has instead shared photos of Windsor Castle rather than Buckingham Palace, which is undergoing renovations through 2027, decked out in its holiday best.
Windsor Castle’s State Apartments, which are available to visit five days a week although reservations in advance are recommended, are transformed each year with magnificent holiday displays. Per the Royal Collection Trust, which manages the Castle, “The highlight of this year’s decorations include a 20-foot-high Nordmann Fir tree in St George’s Hall, taken from Windsor Great Park and dressed with thousands of twinkling lights…Another sparkling Christmas tree will be found in the Crimson Drawing Room—one of the most elaborate Semi-State Rooms, which were created as private apartments for George IV.”
While London at Christmas is a perennial favorite, Windsor shouldn’t be forgotten. Here’s a look back at Windsor Castle at Christmastime through the years.
1941
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Pantomimes were a popular holiday tradition, at least at one point in time among the royal family. Here, Princess Elizabeth plays Prince Florizel with Princess Margaret as Cinderella in their Christmas performance of Cinderella.
1845
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An mid-19th century illustration by English artist and lithographer Joseph Nash depicts Queen Victoria’s Christmas tree at Windsor Castle, capturing the royal holiday tradition as it appeared during her reign.
1941
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Pantomimes were a popular holiday tradition, at least at one point in time among the royal family. Here, Princess Elizabeth plays Prince Florizel with Princess Margaret as Cinderella in their Christmas performance of Cinderella.
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1943
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Margaret and Elizabeth perform in their own Christmas pantomime of Aladdin, while celebrating the holidays at Windsor during the war.
1943
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Margaret and Elizabeth perform in their own Christmas pantomime of Aladdin, while celebrating the holidays at Windsor during the war.
1944
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The York princesses wear evening gowns for the royal Christmas pantomime Old Mother Red Riding Boots.
1960
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Prince Charles stands on the East Terrace at Windsor Castle on Christmas Day after the morning service at St. George’s Chapel, joined by members of the royal family including James Ogilvy, Lady Sarah Chatto (née Armstrong-Jones), the Earl of St. Andrews, Lady Helen Windsor, Viscount Linley, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward.
1944
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The York princesses wear evening gowns for the royal Christmas pantomime Old Mother Red Riding Boots.
1969
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Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip are shown putting finishing touches to a Christmas tree during the filming of the joint ITV-BBC film documentary, The Royal Family.
1960
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Prince Charles stands on the East Terrace at Windsor Castle on Christmas Day after the morning service at St. George’s Chapel, joined by members of the royal family including James Ogilvy, Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones (now Lady Sarah Chatto), the Earl of St. Andrews, Lady Helen Windsor, Viscount Linley, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward.
1969
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Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip are shown putting finishing touches to a Christmas tree during the filming of the joint ITV-BBC film documentary, The Royal Family.
1970
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The Queen Mother smiles at her granddaughter, Princess Anne, while Prince Charles glances back at the chapel.
1970
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The Queen Mother smiles at her granddaughter, Princess Anne, while Prince Charles glances back at the chapel.
1980
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Queen Elizabeth, followed by the Queen Mother, walk down the steps of St. George’s Chapel, where the royals would attend Christmas Day services for the better part of the 1980s.
1980
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Queen Elizabeth, followed by the Queen Mother, walk down the steps of St. George’s Chapel, where the royals would attend Christmas Day services for the better part of the 1980s.
1984
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The extended royal family exits St. George’s Chapel after Christmas Day services.
1984
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The extended royal family exits St. George’s Chapel after Christmas Day services.
1987
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Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip lead the royal family to Christmas Day services at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor, which appears to have been one of the last times they spent holidays there before permanently decamping for Sandringham.
1987
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Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip lead the royal family to Christmas Day services at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor, which appears to have been one of the last times they spent holidays there before permanently decamping for Sandringham.
1987
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Princess Margaret was effortlessly elegant, even on her way to church.
1987
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A very young Prince William leads the way with his cousins Zara Phillips, Peter Phillips, and Lord Frederick Windsor (and his mother dressed in bright yellow in the distance) on the way to Christmas Day services.
1987
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Princess Margaret was effortlessly elegant, even on her way to church.
1987
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The Duchess of Kent looks very festive all in red as she joins the royal family for Christmas at Windsor.
1987
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A very young Prince William leads the way with his cousins Zara Phillips, Peter Phillips, and Lord Frederick Windsor (and his mother dressed in bright yellow in the distance) on the way to Christmas Day services.
1987
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Princess Diana seen holding the hand of a young Lady Rose Gilman (née Windsor) after leaving St George’s Chapel.
1987
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The Duchess of Kent looks very festive all in red as she joins the royal family for Christmas at Windsor.
1987
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Princess Diana seen holding the hand of a young Lady Rose Gilman (née Windsor) after leaving St George’s Chapel.
1987
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Prince Andrew and the Duchess of York also attend Christmas Day services.
1987
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Then-Prince Andrew and the then-Duchess of York also attend Christmas Day services.
2009
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The State Dining Room table arranged for a festive Victorian dessert course.
2009
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The State Dining Room table arranged for a festive Victorian dessert course.
2011
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The finishing touches to a Christmas tree, suspended from the ceiling, which was part of a recreation for Queen Victoria’s Christmas at the Castle.
2011
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The finishing touches to a Christmas tree, suspended from the ceiling, which was part of a recreation for Queen Victoria’s Christmas at the Castle.
2013
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The table is laid with silver-gilt from the magnificent Grand Service in the Waterloo Chamber.
2016
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Royal Collection Trust staff members put the finishing touches to the Grand Staircase of the State Apartments.
2013
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The table is laid with silver-gilt from the magnificent Grand Service in the Waterloo Chamber.
2017
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A Royal Collection Trust member arranges the table in the State Dining Room, which has been decorated for the holiday season with silver-gilt pieces from the Grand Service.
2016
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Royal Collection Trust staff members put the finishing touches to the Grand Staircase of the State Apartments.
2018
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Final preparations are made to a 20-foot Norman Fir Christmas tree in St. George’s Hall.
2017
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A Royal Collection Trust member arranges the table in the State Dining Room, which has been decorated for the holiday season with silver-gilt pieces from the Grand Service.
2018
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Final preparations are made to a 20-foot Norman Fir Christmas tree in St. George’s Hall.
2019
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Queen Elizabeth started recording her annual Christmas broadcasts from Windsor Castle, rather than Buckingham Palace, in 2019. Recorded in the Green Drawing Room, the Queen was surrounded by a selection of family photos, including, one of her eldest son, Charles and his wife Camilla, likely to mark the 50th anniversary of Charles’s investiture as the Prince of Wales that year, as well as a portrait of her beloved father, King George VI.
2019
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Queen Elizabeth started recording her annual Christmas broadcasts from Windsor Castle, rather than Buckingham Palace, in 2019. Recorded in the Green Drawing Room, the Queen was surrounded by a selection of family photos, including, one of her eldest son, Charles and his wife Camilla, likely to mark the 50th anniversary of Charles’s investiture as the Prince of Wales that year, as well as a portrait of her beloved father, King George VI.
2020
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Members of the royal family—Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Anne, Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Edward, and the Countess of Wessex—gather in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle to thank key workers and volunteers for their efforts during the pandemic and the Christmas season on December 8, 2020.
2020
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Members of the royal family—Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Anne, Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Edward, and the Countess of Wessex—gather in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle to thank key workers and volunteers for their efforts during the pandemic and the Christmas season on December 8, 2020.
2021
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As seen on television, Queen Elizabeth gave what would be her last annual Christmas broadcast from the White Drawing Room of Windsor Castle in 2021. It was also the first since the death of her husband, Prince Philip. A more personal message than usual, Elizabeth focused on his legacy, acknowledging that Christmas could be difficult for those who have lost loved ones.
2022
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King Charles recorded the first Christmas broadcast of his reign from the Quire of St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. The location was chosen as a poignant tribute to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth, as the chapel was the site of her committal service and final resting place.
2021
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As seen on television, Queen Elizabeth gave what would be her last annual Christmas broadcast from the White Drawing Room of Windsor Castle in 2021. It was also the first since the death of her husband, Prince Philip. A more personal message than usual, Elizabeth focused on his legacy, acknowledging that Christmas could be difficult for those who have lost loved ones.
2022
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King Charles recorded the first Christmas broadcast of his reign from the Quire of St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. The location was chosen as a poignant tribute to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth, as the chapel was the site of her committal service and final resting place.
2023
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Queen Camilla shares tea at Windsor Castle with seven-year-old Olivia Taylor, her sister Imogen, and their parents, Matt and Lisa. Olivia, a blind schoolgirl with a brain tumor, sang a Christmas song and presented the Queen with a handmade ring.
2024
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Royal Collection Trust staff add the finishing touches to a Christmas tree in St. George’s Hall. Christmas trees have a lengthy royal history; the concept was first introduced to Britain by Queen Charlotte, who used yew trees. They were later popularized thanks to Queen Victoria.
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2023
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Queen Camilla shares tea at Windsor Castle with seven-year-old Olivia Taylor, her sister Imogen, and their parents, Matt and Lisa. Olivia, a blind schoolgirl with a brain tumor, sang a Christmas song and presented the Queen with a handmade ring.
2025
Photo credit: © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust
The Crimson Drawing Room, located in the Semi-State Rooms, used only during the winter months, holds a 16-foot tree set against deep red silk walls and gilded trim. The Semi-State Rooms are used for official entertaining by the royals and are open to the public in the winter months.
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2024
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Royal Collection Trust staff add the finishing touches to a Christmas tree in St. George’s Hall. Christmas trees have a lengthy royal history; the concept was first introduced to Britain by Queen Charlotte, who used yew trees. They were later popularized thanks to Queen Victoria.
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2025
Photo credit: © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust
The Crimson Drawing Room, located in the Semi-State Rooms, used only during the winter months, holds a 16-foot tree set against deep red silk walls and gilded trim. The Semi-State Rooms are used for official entertaining by the royals and are open to the public in the winter months.
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2025
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The Prince and Princess of Wales pictured earlier his month ahead of the state banquet for German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Budenbende. The castle had already been decked out for the holidays, adding a more festive flair not usually seen at state banquets.
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