Day two of our merry Windsor trip was big castle time. I’d forgotten how relentlessly busy the town gets. The castle receives about 1.5 million visitors a year, and for a small town of only 32,000, that’s a lot of bodies. By the mid-afternoon rush hour, you can hardly move for slow-moving happy snappers.
oppo_0
" data-orig-size="4000,3000" data-id="37063" data-image-title="oppo_0" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/swan-and-duck-parade.jpg" data-image-description="" class="wp-image-37063" width="1024" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/swan-and-duck-parade.jpg?w=300" role="button" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/06/29/the-merry-husbands-of-windsor-part-two/oppo_0-13/" alt="" height="768" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_0","created_timestamp":"1718299783","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.0019305019305019","title":"oppo_0","orientation":"1","latitude":"51.485405555556","longitude":"-0.60904166666667"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/swan-and-duck-parade.jpg?w=700" tabindex="0" />
oppo_0
" data-orig-size="4000,3000" data-id="37061" data-image-title="oppo_0" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/street-art.jpg" data-image-description="" class="wp-image-37061" width="1024" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/street-art.jpg?w=300" role="button" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/06/29/the-merry-husbands-of-windsor-part-two/oppo_0-12/" alt="" height="768" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_0","created_timestamp":"1718376463","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.00042753313381787","title":"oppo_0","orientation":"1","latitude":"51.486661111111","longitude":"-0.60895555555556"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/street-art.jpg?w=700" tabindex="0" />
oppo_0
" data-orig-size="4000,3000" data-id="37057" data-image-title="oppo_0" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/the-queen.jpg" data-image-description="" class="wp-image-37057" width="1024" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/the-queen.jpg?w=300" role="button" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/06/29/the-merry-husbands-of-windsor-part-two/oppo_0-10/" alt="" height="768" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_0","created_timestamp":"1718376646","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.0013550135501355","title":"oppo_0","orientation":"1","latitude":"51.483075","longitude":"-0.61007777777778"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/the-queen.jpg?w=700" tabindex="0" />
oppo_33
" data-image-title="oppo_33" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/the-merry-husbands.jpg" class="wp-image-37064" width="768" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/the-merry-husbands.jpg?w=225" role="button" loading="lazy" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/06/29/the-merry-husbands-of-windsor-part-two/oppo_33/" alt="" height="1024" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"2","credit":"","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_33","created_timestamp":"1718364275","copyright":"","focal_length":"3.41","iso":"102","shutter_speed":"0.00035855145213338","title":"oppo_33","orientation":"1","latitude":"51.483530555556","longitude":"-0.60515833333333"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/the-merry-husbands.jpg?w=700" tabindex="0" />
oppo_32
" data-image-title="oppo_32" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/windsor-street.jpg" class="wp-image-37062" width="768" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/windsor-street.jpg?w=225" role="button" loading="lazy" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/06/29/the-merry-husbands-of-windsor-part-two/oppo_32-30/" alt="" height="1024" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_32","created_timestamp":"1718360701","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.00036496350364964","title":"oppo_32","orientation":"1"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/windsor-street.jpg?w=700" tabindex="0" />
oppo_0
" data-image-title="oppo_0" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/windsor-and-eton-central.jpg" class="wp-image-37059" width="1024" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/windsor-and-eton-central.jpg?w=300" role="button" loading="lazy" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/06/29/the-merry-husbands-of-windsor-part-two/oppo_0-11/" alt="" height="768" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_0","created_timestamp":"1718360433","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"101","shutter_speed":"0.00035448422545197","title":"oppo_0","orientation":"1"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/windsor-and-eton-central.jpg?w=700" tabindex="0" />
oppo_32
" data-image-title="oppo_32" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/the-shambles.jpg" class="wp-image-37058" width="768" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/the-shambles.jpg?w=225" role="button" loading="lazy" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/06/29/the-merry-husbands-of-windsor-part-two/oppo_32-28/" alt="" height="1024" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_32","created_timestamp":"1718361384","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.00054229934924078","title":"oppo_32","orientation":"1","latitude":"51.482288888889","longitude":"-0.60716388888889"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/the-shambles.jpg?w=700" tabindex="0" />
oppo_32
" data-image-title="oppo_32" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/liam-on-the-bridge.jpg" class="wp-image-37060" width="768" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/liam-on-the-bridge.jpg?w=225" role="button" loading="lazy" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/06/29/the-merry-husbands-of-windsor-part-two/oppo_32-29/" alt="" height="1024" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_32","created_timestamp":"1718300164","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.0014285714285714","title":"oppo_32","orientation":"1","latitude":"51.485647222222","longitude":"-0.60813055555556"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/liam-on-the-bridge.jpg?w=700" tabindex="0" />
oppo_32
" data-image-title="oppo_32" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/anyone-for-tea.jpg" class="wp-image-37069" width="768" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/anyone-for-tea.jpg?w=225" role="button" loading="lazy" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/06/29/the-merry-husbands-of-windsor-part-two/oppo_32-31/" alt="" height="1024" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_32","created_timestamp":"1718361388","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.00052137643378519","title":"oppo_32","orientation":"1","latitude":"51.482288888889","longitude":"-0.60716388888889"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/anyone-for-tea.jpg?w=700" tabindex="0" />These images were taken in the early morning before the hordes of day trippers arrived.
The queue into the castle was snaking, and security was airport-style. The weather was stuck in April, and as the forecast wasn’t good, we thought we were in for a drenching. But the sun poked through the low clouds and the rain held off. We spotted the Royal Standard flying from the Round Tower, so His Maj was at home. Sadly, we weren’t invited in for tea and cake.
oppo_0
" data-image-title="oppo_0" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/curtain-wall.jpg" class="wp-image-37046" width="1024" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/curtain-wall.jpg?w=300" role="button" loading="lazy" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/06/29/the-merry-husbands-of-windsor-part-two/oppo_0-8/" alt="" height="857" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"Picasa","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_0","created_timestamp":"1718368722","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"102","shutter_speed":"0.00015639662183297","title":"oppo_0","orientation":"0","latitude":"51.483211111111","longitude":"-0.608325"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/curtain-wall.jpg?w=700" tabindex="0" />
oppo_32
" data-image-title="oppo_32" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/the-round-tower.jpg" class="wp-image-37049" width="768" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/the-round-tower.jpg?w=225" role="button" loading="lazy" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/06/29/the-merry-husbands-of-windsor-part-two/oppo_32-27/" alt="" height="1024" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_32","created_timestamp":"1718364232","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"106","shutter_speed":"0.00014596409283316","title":"oppo_32","orientation":"1","latitude":"51.483530555556","longitude":"-0.60515833333333"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/the-round-tower.jpg?w=700" tabindex="0" />First stop, the series of interconnecting state rooms, a riot of Georgian bling – lavish and impressive with walls plastered with old masters, perfect for hobnobbing with presidents and prime ministers, princes and potentates. Way too gaudy for my tastes, though.
Windsor Castle, Berkshire — an official residence of His Majesty King Charles III. Photographed by Paul Highnam for the Country Life Picture Library. ©Country Life
" data-image-title="Windsor Castle" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/windsor-castle-state-room.jpg" class="wp-image-37044" width="1024" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/windsor-castle-state-room.jpg?w=300" role="button" loading="lazy" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/06/29/the-merry-husbands-of-windsor-part-two/windsor-castle/" alt="" height="768" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"Paul Highnam for Country Life","camera":"IQ3 100MP Trichr","caption":"Windsor Castle, Berkshire \u2014\u00a0an official residence of His Majesty King Charles III. Photographed by Paul Highnam for the Country Life Picture Library. \u00a9Country Life","created_timestamp":"1661904000","copyright":"Country Life","focal_length":"0","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"3","title":"Windsor Castle","orientation":"1"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/windsor-castle-state-room.jpg?w=700" tabindex="0" />
I much preferred the elegant interior of the 14th-century St George’s Chapel, which was up next on our agenda. It’s called a chapel but it’s the size of a cathedral. And it’s gorgeous.
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" data-image-title="oppo_0" data-orig-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/st-georges-chapel.jpg" class="wp-image-37055" width="1024" data-medium-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/st-georges-chapel.jpg?w=300" role="button" loading="lazy" data-permalink="https://perkingthepansies.com/2024/06/29/the-merry-husbands-of-windsor-part-two/oppo_0-9/" alt="" height="768" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.7","credit":"","camera":"OPPO A72","caption":"oppo_0","created_timestamp":"1718364372","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.71","iso":"103","shutter_speed":"0.00020850708924103","title":"oppo_0","orientation":"1","latitude":"51.483530555556","longitude":"-0.60515833333333"}" data-large-file="https://perkingthepansies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/st-georges-chapel.jpg?w=700" tabindex="0" />
Visitors are not allowed to take photos inside the castle buildings, so these internal pictures are all stock images.
It had slipped my mind that the late Queen is interred in the chapel, in a modest roped-off niche she shares with her parents, sister and husband. It took us by surprise. We joined the mourners filing past in silent respect.
In fact, the chapel is pretty much stuffed with the bones of long-dead monarchs and assorted worthies. Liam even stumbled over the grave marker of that much married, lecherous old tyrant, Henry the Eighth. Off with his head!
After our big castle fix, we dodged the click-clicking throng by escaping across the river to Eton. Despite its famous school for the grossly over-privileged, pretty Eton is much quieter than its big sister. We polished off the afternoon, tourist-style, with the tea and cake we weren’t offered by Charlie in his castle on the hill. Another merry day.
