The royals switched things up this year with a green and gold colour scheme

Windsor Castle has officially transformed into a festive wonderland ahead of Christmas, as new photos show the royal residence fully decked out for the holiday season.

The star of this year’s decorations is a breathtaking 20-foot Christmas tree in St George’s Hall, the largest room in the castle.

The grand reveal comes just ahead of next week’s German state visit.
The 20-foot tree took eight florists three days to decorate (Credit: Photo by NEIL HALL/EPA/Shutterstock)

Windsor Castle reveals Christmas decorations

Sourced from nearby Windsor Great Park, the tree was decorated by a team of eight royal florists over the course of three days. The team used a cherry picker to reach its highest branches.

This year, the castle has opted for a fresh green and gold colour theme. Over 3,000 sparkling lights, along with ornaments and garlands, shimmer beneath the hall’s famous vaulted ceiling.

A bright star tops the tree, symbolising the guiding light of Christmas.

Meanwhile, in the Crimson Drawing Room, a second 16-foot tree is topped with a delicate angel.
The public can view the elaborate decorations until January 4 (Credit: Photo by NEIL HALL/EPA/Shutterstock)
Even Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House has been done up for the season.

Visitors will spot a 45cm Christmas tree, complete with beaded ornaments made from vintage jewellery and miniature candles crafted from real wax.

From today (Thursday, 27 November) through January 5, visitors can step into this seasonal display.

For the first time, Windsor Castle is offering £1 admission tickets to guests receiving Universal Credit and other benefits. Families can purchase up to six tickets per household.

This new initiative is part of a broader effort by the Royal Collection Trust to ensure more people can experience the magic of the castle during the holidays.

Income from ticket sales contributes directly to the care and conservation of the Royal Collection.
The royals switched things up this year with a green and gold colour scheme (Credit: Photo by NEIL HALL/EPA/Shutterstock)

Royal family at Christmas

Many credit Prince Albert with introducing Christmas trees to England. However, the tradition dates back even further.

According to English Heritage, it was Queen Charlotte, the German wife of George III, who set up the first known tree in England at Queen’s Lodge in Windsor in 1800.

Prince Albert later popularised the tradition by importing trees from Germany in the 1840s and personally decorating them with candles and sweets.

That legacy lives on through King Charles. The king’s styling skills are already evident at his other royal residence, Highgrove House in Gloucestershire.
The Crimson Drawing Room is home to it’s own tree (Credit: Photo by NEIL HALL/EPA/Shutterstock)
A video shared on Highgrove’s social media last week gave a behind-the-scenes glimpse of his own festive setup, with garlands, giant bows, and twinkling lights bringing the countryside estate to life.

This year’s festivities go beyond the décor. The Undercroft Café is offering a seasonal menu perfect for warming up after a tour.

Visitors can also opt for guided tours of the Great Kitchen, the oldest working kitchen in Britain.

During the holidays, Windsor Castle will host Festive Family Fun activities, inspired by Victorian traditions. Children can also take part in creative workshops and take home their own Christmas crafts.

On select dates, local choirs will perform traditional carols under the grand Christmas tree in St George’s Hall.

With the halls now decked to perfection, Windsor Castle is more than ready to welcome visitors from across the world this holiday season.