Queen Elizabeth has moved from what was her official residence, Buckingham Palace, to Windsor Castle. Naturally the world is wondering what prompted the change – and if it’s a permanent move.

Initially, the 95-year-old monarch and her late husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, relocated from London’s iconic Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle at the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. But the sovereign has now reportedly chosen to make Windsor – on the outskirts of London, some 34km west of the palace – her permanent home.

One to the primary reasons for the move, it is thought, is that Buckingham Palace is currently undergoing extensive renovations, which are anticipated to end by 2027.

But there are other more personal reasons for the move, according to royal biographer Hugo Vickers. Speaking to The Times, he said: “Windsor is the place she loves. She has her memories with Prince Philip there, she has her ponies there, and family nearby. It makes sense.”

Historically, Windsor Castle, located in Berkshire, has been a residence close to the hearts of many monarchs. Set over 13 acres of land with around 1,000 rooms, Windsor Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world, and has been a royal residence for almost 1,000 years.

The gardens at Windsor are extensive, and since the queen is known to be a lover of the outdoors, this feature is unsurprisingly a stand-out perk.

Home Park sits in the area on the east side, while Frogmore House and Gardens is situated about half a mile south of Windsor Castle. What is dubbed as “the long walk” is just over 4km long. Adjoining the Home Park is Windsor Great Park, which is almost 5,000 acres and has one of the largest collections of ancient oak trees in northern Europe.

Many of the greatest treasures that belong to the Royal Collection are housed at Windsor Castle. These include the Royal Archives, the Royal Photograph Collection, the Print Room and the Royal Library.

Windsor Castle is also the location of St George’s Chapel, where Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, were married in 2018. There have been a number of royal weddings which have taken place in the chapel: Princess Eugenie and Prince Edward, and Queen Elizabeth’s youngest son Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex. Meanwhile Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles had a service on the day of their wedding in the chapel.

On November 20, 1992, a fire broke out in the queen’s private chapel at Windsor Castle which quickly ravaged its way through many of its rooms, causing over US$47.5 million in damage.

In an address that Her Majesty gave in London soon afterwards, she made her now-famous “annus horribilis” comment: “1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an annus horribilis … but at this particular moment, in the aftermath of Friday’s tragic fire at Windsor, it is especially so,” said the monarch.

Whilst it has been confirmed that the Platinum Jubilee will continue to take place at Buckingham Palace this year, it’s clear that, at the age of 95, Queen Elizabeth must be looking for a home that is a little more tranquil and a little less busy than the bustle of the London palace. And who could blame her, to be honest.

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