Walking into the state rooms Windsor Castle is a bit of a head-trip. You expect a museum. You get a living, breathing house where the furniture is worth more than most small islands and the security guards look like they've seen it all. Honestly, people call it a "castle" and think of damp stone or drafty corridors, but the State Apartments are basically the world’s most expensive interior design project that just never really ended.
It’s huge. It’s overwhelming. And if you aren't careful, you’ll walk right past a Leonardo da Vinci drawing because you were too busy looking at a gold-plated clock.
Most tourists think these rooms are just for show, but they’re actually the setting for the big-ticket items of the British Monarchy. When the King hosts a State Banquet or hands out an MBE, this is where it happens. It’s not just a gallery; it’s a workplace. A very, very fancy workplace.
The Fire That Almost Took It All
You can't talk about the state rooms Windsor Castle without mentioning November 20, 1992. It was a Friday. A curtain in the Private Chapel was too close to a high-powered spotlight. It caught fire. By the time the blaze was out, nine principal rooms were destroyed and over 100 others were damaged.
It was a disaster.
But here’s the thing—the restoration was kind of a miracle. They didn't just patch it up; they used traditional methods to recreate 14th-century craftsmanship. When you stand in St George’s Hall today, you’re looking at a ceiling made of sustainable green oak. It’s the largest green oak structure built since the Middle Ages. If you look closely at the shields on the ceiling, some are blank. Those represent Knights of the Garter who were disgraced. It’s a subtle, slightly petty historical burn that I personally love.
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The Grand Staircase and Why Your Feet Will Hurt
The moment you start the climb, you realize the scale of this place. The Grand Staircase is guarded by a massive suit of armor made for Henry VIII. He was a big guy, especially toward the end of his life, and the armor doesn't lie. It’s imposing.
The walls are lined with weapons arranged in patterns. It’s called "trophy layering." It’s basically a 19th-century flex to show how much military might Britain had. You’ll see muskets, swords, and pistols from various campaigns, including the Battle of Waterloo. It feels a bit like an armory, but with better lighting.
The Waterloo Chamber
This room is basically a giant celebration of the defeat of Napoleon. George IV was obsessed with the victory, so he commissioned Sir Thomas Lawrence to paint portraits of all the kings, diplomats, and generals who helped take down the French Emperor.
The floor is covered by an Indian carpet that is so big it’s almost impossible to clean. It was made for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. During the 1992 fire, it took dozens of soldiers to roll it up and drag it to safety. It weighs tons. Literally.
Charles II and the "English Baroque" Vibe
If you want to see the real "state" in state rooms Windsor Castle, you have to look at the rooms designed for Charles II. He spent time in France and came back wanting that Versailles energy. He got it.
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The King’s Dining Room is a feast for the eyes, even if you can’t actually eat there. The ceiling was painted by Antonio Verrio, and it’s full of gods, goddesses, and allegory. Then there’s the wood carving. Grinling Gibbons—that’s the name you need to remember—was the master of this. He carved wood so thin and delicate that the wooden pea pods and flower petals look like they might flutter if a breeze hit them. It’s the kind of detail that makes modern "luxury" look like IKEA.
- The King's Bedchamber: He didn't actually sleep here. It was a stage. High-ranking nobles would watch him get dressed. It’s weird, but that was the 17th-century power dynamic.
- The Presence Chamber: This is where you’d meet the King if you were lucky. The throne is still there.
- The Garter Throne Room: This is where new Knights of the Garter are invested. It’s blue, it’s gold, and it’s very, very exclusive.
The Queen’s Drawing Room (And the Secret Doors)
I’ve spent a lot of time looking at these walls, and the funniest thing is the secret doors. Because the castle is old and has been renovated a thousand times, there are Jib doors everywhere—doors painted to look exactly like the wall or the wallpaper so servants could move around without being seen.
The Queen’s Drawing Room is actually quite cozy compared to the others. It houses some of the most important paintings in the Royal Collection, including works by Hans Holbein. These aren't copies. These are the originals that have been in the family for centuries.
Don't Skip the Lantern Lobby
This is part of the "new" section built after the fire. It’s where the private chapel used to be. It’s bright, Gothic, and feels different from the heavier, gold-leafed rooms. It’s a bridge between the old world and the 21st century.
Common Misconceptions About the State Apartments
People often think they can see the King's private bedrooms. You can't. Those are in the Upper Ward, in a completely different wing. If the Royal Standard flag is flying, he’s home. If it’s the Union Jack, he’s out.
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Another myth: Everything is "original."
Honestly, almost nothing is truly "original" in the sense that it hasn't been moved or restored. George IV was a shopaholic. He bought half the furniture in the 1820s because he wanted the place to look more "royal." Most of what you see as "medieval" is actually 19th-century Gothic Revival. It’s a bit of a theatrical set, but a very high-quality one.
How to Actually Enjoy the State Rooms Without Getting "Palace Fatigue"
Palace fatigue is real. After the tenth room of gold leaf and velvet, your brain starts to shut down.
- Look at the clocks. The Royal Collection has some of the most complex horological instruments in the world. There are people whose entire job is just winding them.
- Check the views. Look out the windows into the Quadrangle. Most people keep their eyes on the paintings, but the view of the castle architecture from the inside out is incredible.
- The Grand Vestibule. Look for the statue of Queen Victoria. It’s usually surrounded by items from the various colonies and territories of the British Empire. It’s a complicated piece of history, but the craftsmanship of the gifts—like the tiger’s head from Tipu Sultan’s throne—is stunning.
The Logistics Most People Mess Up
You have to book in advance. If you show up at the gate in Windsor on a Saturday morning without a ticket, you’re going to be disappointed.
Also, the state rooms Windsor Castle close sometimes for official events. Check the official Royal Collection Trust website before you travel. There is nothing worse than paying for a train ticket from London only to find out the King is hosting a visiting president and the apartments are closed.
Wear comfortable shoes. The walk from the entrance, up the hill, through the wards, and then the standing time in the rooms is a lot. It’s about a two-mile walk in total if you do the whole circuit.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
- Get the Multimedia Guide: It’s free with your ticket. Don’t be a hero; use it. It explains the paintings and the fire in way more detail than the small placards on the wall.
- Start Early: The crowds get thick around 11:00 AM. If you can get the first slot of the morning, you’ll have the Waterloo Chamber almost to yourself for about ten minutes.
- Photography is Banned: Seriously, don't try to sneak a photo in the State Apartments. The wardens are everywhere, and they are very polite but very firm about the "no photos" rule. Take your pictures outside in the Middle Ward instead.
- The Semi-State Rooms: These are only open in the winter months (September to March). If you have the choice, go then. These were the private apartments of George IV and they are even more over-the-top than the main State Rooms. The Crimson Drawing Room is probably the most beautiful room in the entire castle.
- Check the Changing of the Guard: It usually happens at 11:00 AM. It’s worth timing your entry so you are either inside or safely outside when it happens, as the paths get blocked.
Windsor isn't just a day trip; it’s a massive archive of British history. The state rooms are the heart of that archive. Take your time, look at the ceilings, and try to imagine what it would be like to actually have to live there. It’s beautiful, sure, but imagine trying to find your TV remote in a room that size.
To get the most out of your trip, verify the opening schedule at the Royal Collection Trust website. If you plan on visiting the nearby St George's Chapel (where the late Queen Elizabeth II is buried), remember that it is closed to visitors on Sundays for services. Plan for at least 2.5 to 3 hours for the castle alone, plus extra time if you want to walk the Long Walk or explore the town of Windsor itself.