The Queen’s Modernday Christmas at Windsor Castle Sauceboats shaped like sleighs and a giant conifer suspended from the ceiling... Get set for a Victorian Christmas at Windsor castle by Rebecca English, Royal Correspondent On December 24 1850 Queen Victoria sat down at her bureau at Windsor Castle and wrote breathlessly in her journal: ‘My beloved Albert first took me to my tree and table, covered by such numberless gifts, really too much, too magnificent!’ Now visitors to the royal residence in leafy Berkshire will, for the first time, be able to sample Christmas just as Victoria and Prince Albert did 161 years ago. Although monarchs have celebrated Christmas at Windsor since the 12th century, the couple were responsible for popularising the celebration in the form we know today. The finishing touches are made to the table in Windsor Castle's state dining room, which has be laid for a Victorian Christmas feast
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German-born Albert personally brought over the Christmas tree to Britain and the highlight of the castle’s new seasonal exhibition is a giant conifer - suspended from the ceiling of the Octagon Dining Room in place of its magnificent chandelier. Just why the prince chose to display his trees from the ceiling is a mystery, but in 1860 a visitor to the castle described how the rooms ‘were lighted up with Christmas trees hung from the ceiling, the chandeliers being taken down. These trees…were covered with bonbons and little wax coloured lights, some of the trees were made to appear as if partially covered in snow.’ Anything Victoria and Albert did was certain to became the rage - and Christmas trees are still the centrepiece of most of our celebrations today. Inspired by these contemporary descriptions, an artificial tree decorated with swags, ribbons, replica candles and imitation snow is now taking pride of place in the Windsor recreation.
