Windsor Castle is one of the official residences of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen is Head of State of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and also Head of the Commonwealth.
The monarch’s direct powers these days are limited: as a constitutional sovereign The Queen normally acts on the advice of her ministers; nevertheless the government, the judges and the armed services all act in the Queen’s name and she is an important symbol of national unity. She is kept closely informed about all aspects of national life and the Prime Minister has a weekly audience with her.
The Queen has certain residual ‘prerogative’ powers which include the appointment of the Prime Minister and granting the dissolution of Parliament.
As well as being Head of the Commonwealth, the Queen is Head of State of sixteen of its fifty-four member countries.
Many of the Queen’s duties are ceremonial and a reminder of the United Kingdome’s long history. They include the State Opening of Parliament, The Queen’s Birthday Parade, state visits and the Garter Day celebrations.
The Queen is officially in residence at Windsor twice a year: in April and also in June, when the annual Garter Service is held in St George’s Chapel with the installation of new Knights. The Castle is used alternately with Buckingham Palace for ceremonials visits from Heads of State of other countries. The Queen and her family also spend most of their private weekends at the Castle.
Windsor Castle is one of the major repositories of the Royal Collection, where incomparable works of art are displayed in the historic setting for which they were collected or commissioned by successive monarchs. Because of the Status of the building as a working royal palace, objects are sometimes moved. Pictures and work of art are also frequently lent to exhibitions all over the world, so the arrangement may vary from time to time.


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Plan of the Castle……………………………………………………...4

The Development