Windsor Castle | 1,000 Years of Royal History | From William the Conqueror to King Charles III

This film explores the extraordinary history of Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest inhabited castle in the world, and one of the principal residences of the British monarch. Spanning nearly a thousand years, the Castle tells the story of how successive rulers have shaped it into both a fortress and a royal home at the heart of national life.

Founded by William the Conqueror shortly after 1066, Windsor began as a Norman motte‑and‑bailey fortress, strategically positioned along the River Thames to defend vital crossings and maintain control over the surrounding region. Its earliest form consisted of a timber tower atop a great mound, with a fortified courtyard below—features which still define the Castle’s layout today.

The transformation into a royal residence began under Henry I, who expanded the site with additional enclosures that would become the Upper and Lower Wards. Later, Henry II replaced the original timber defences with stone, constructing the first Round Tower and establishing much of the Castle’s enduring structure.

Under Henry III and Edward III, Windsor developed into one of the most magnificent palaces in medieval Europe. Edward III in particular invested heavily in royal lodgings and ceremonial spaces, creating the foundations of what are now the State Apartments. These spaces supported lavish court life, including feasts held in great halls supported by a Great Kitchen and storage spaces that still survive in part today as a modern café.

The late medieval and Tudor periods brought further transformation. Edward IV and Henry VIII rebuilt St George’s Chapel, one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England, known for its stunning fan vaulting. The Chapel became a key royal burial site and continues to serve as a place of national and dynastic memory, most recently as the resting place of Queen Elizabeth II.

In the seventeenth century, Charles II modernised the Castle with his architect Hugh May, introducing new apartment layouts and ceremonial spaces designed for court life, including the innovative concept of the enfilade—a sequence of connected rooms. These interiors were enriched with important artworks, including portraits by Van Dyck, reflecting the growing significance of royal collecting.
The Castle’s interiors were again transformed in the early nineteenth century under George IV, who—working with architect Jeffry Wyatville—created richly decorated Semi‑State Rooms. These spaces combined Gothic revival design with luxurious fabrics, gilding and furnishings, reflecting George IV’s taste for spectacle and refinement. Furniture from this period, including pieces by Morel and Seddon, still appears in different colour schemes across royal residences today.

For Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Windsor Castle became a deeply personal space as well as a site of state. It was the setting for their honeymoon and family life with their nine children, embedding the Castle in the history of the royal family as a domestic as well as ceremonial residence.

Windsor also played a vital role during the Second World War, when Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret spent much of their time at the Castle. During this period, they participated in charitable efforts, including staging pantomimes to raise funds, demonstrating the Castle’s adaptability in times of national crisis.

In 1992, a devastating fire caused major damage to nine State Rooms and surrounding areas. The subsequent restoration, overseen by a committee chaired by Prince Philip, combined historical reconstruction with modern interpretation. Some rooms were restored to their earlier appearance, while others—such as the Lantern Lobby—were redesigned with contemporary Gothic influences, blending tradition with innovation.

Today, Windsor Castle remains a working royal palace, hosting state ceremonies, banquets and royal events while welcoming visitors from around the world. It stands not as a static monument, but as a living building that continues to evolve—reflecting nearly a millennium of British history, architecture and royal life.