Windsor Castle has been the home of 39 monarchs and is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. It has undergone almost a thousand years of development.

William the Conqueror built Windsor Castle as part of a defensive ring of motte and bailey castles around London, strategically important due to its proximity to the River Thames and Windsor Forest.

Construction of Windsor Castle began in 1070, making it more than 600 years older than Buckingham Palace.

William the Conqueror initiated the construction of Windsor Castle on a chalk mound overlooking the river Thames. The castle was strategically positioned to control the crossing points along the river.

By 1086, Windsor Castle was completed, constructed primarily of timber during the reign of William the Conqueror.

King Henry I made improvements to Windsor Castle, including the addition of a chapel, to use it as a formal royal residence. He held court there and married his second wife, Adeliza of Louvain, in the castle's chapel.

Around 1170, Henry II of England converted Windsor Castle into stone, moving away from its original motte and bailey structure. This transformation was a significant upgrade for the castle's durability and defense.

King Henry II signed the Treaty of Windsor with Rory O'Connor, granting O'Connor control over certain areas of Ireland in exchange for an annual payment and other provisions.

Windsor Castle was besieged in 1214 during the revolt of the English barons, and later used as a base by King John during the negotiations before the signing of Magna Carta in 1215.

Windsor Castle was besieged during the First Barons' War.

Windsor Castle hosted a great medieval tournament.

A jousting tournament at Windsor Castle possibly marked the creation of the Order of the Garter, inspired by King Arthur's knights of the Round Table. A large circular hall was built for the event.

The Order of the Garter was formally established at Windsor Castle on St. George's Day. King Edward III and several prominent individuals became the initial Knights of the Order.

Windsor Castle, located in Berkshire, England, was constructed in 1398. It is a royal residence known for its rich history and architectural beauty, featuring a mix of medieval, Gothic, and Baroque styles.

In 1399, Henry IV seized Windsor Castle during his coup, although he failed to capture Richard II. This event marked a turbulent political period in England.

In 1417, Windsor Castle hosted a visit from the Holy Roman Emperor during Henry V's reign. This diplomatic event pushed the castle's accommodation to its limits, showcasing its importance in international relations.

Henry, the son of Henry V of England and future Henry VI of England, was born at Windsor Castle.

Eton College, a boys boarding school founded by King Henry VI in 1440, is located across the River Thames from Windsor Castle.

In 1461, Edward IV seized power in England.

In 1472, Edward IV held a particularly lavish feast at Windsor Castle.

The stone vaulted ceiling of Saint George's Chapel at Windsor Castle was built.

In 1485, Richard III was defeated at the Battle of Bosworth Field before making brief use of Windsor Castle.

In 1488, Henry VII held a massive feast for the Order of the Garter at Windsor Castle.

In 1506, Windsor Castle hosted the grand visit of Philip I of Castile.

St. George's Chapel, designed to be the chapel of the Order of the Garter, was completed in 1528 and restored between 1921 and 1930. It serves as a royal mausoleum containing the bodies of several monarchs.

In 1536, during the Pilgrimage of Grace uprising, Henry VIII used Windsor Castle as a secure base in the south.

In 1547, Edward VI passed away after expressing his dislike for Windsor Castle due to its lack of amenities.

In 1606, James I and Christian IV of Denmark had an infamous drinking session at Windsor Castle.

In 1629, Charles I had Windsor Castle completely surveyed by a team including Inigo Jones.

During the English Civil War, Prince Rupert attempted to attack Windsor Castle, but his efforts failed. Subsequently, he redirected his focus to other locations in the conflict.

In 1647, Charles I, a prisoner of Parliament, was brought to Windsor Castle for a period under arrest before being moved to Hampton Court.

The Restoration of the monarchy in 1660 saw significant changes to Windsor Castle, which was fully modernized by Charles II.

In 1668, Charles II appointed Prince Rupert as the Constable of Windsor Castle, leading to the reordering and repair of the castle's defenses.

The bronze statue of Charles II on horseback beneath the Round Tower at Windsor Castle was cast in 1679 by Josias Ibach. The marble plinth features carvings by Grinling Gibbons.

Charles II modernized the royal apartments at Windsor Castle, which eventually became the grandest baroque State Apartments in England by 1684. The interiors were adorned with expensive textiles and magnificent tapestries.

George III started the renovation of Windsor Castle by moving into the Upper Lodge and working with architect James Wyatt to transform the exterior of the buildings into a Gothic palace. The renovation included restyling the building with Gothic features, constructing new rooms, and purchasing new paintings for the castle.

George III appointed James Wyatt to transform the exterior of Windsor Castle into a gothic palace in 1796. Wyatt introduced a vaulted ceiling in the entrance hall and replaced the Queen’s Stairs with the Grand Stair.

George IV initiated a program to modernize Windsor Castle by selecting architect Jeffry Wyatville to remodel the castle. The exterior of the Upper Ward was completely redesigned, new towers were created, and private accommodation for the king was built. The total expenditure on the castle soared to over one million pounds by the end of the project.

Morel & Seddon were awarded the contract to supply furnishings for Windsor Castle in the latest French Empire style. The improvements to the Castle cost nearly £300,000 by the end of 1828.

The modernization of Windsor Castle initiated by George IV was completed by architect Jeffry Wyatville after the king's death. The work included raising the Round Tower, rebuilding or remodeling many rooms in the State Apartments, and creating new towers. The total expenditure on the castle exceeded one million pounds.

After a serious fire in 1853, Anthony Salvin rebuilt the State Dining Room in Windsor Castle.

Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, died in the Blue Room at Windsor Castle in 1861. He was buried in the Royal Mausoleum at nearby Frogmore within the Home Park. Victoria kept the castle in a state of mourning for many years after Albert's death.

In 1866, Queen Victoria instructed her architect Anthony Salvin to close off the Inner Hall at Windsor Castle and build a new, smaller State Entrance hall running east to west. The Inner Hall was later used as a storeroom.

Edward VII began modernising Windsor Castle in 1901, decluttering and redecorating many rooms, adding electric lighting and central heating, installing telephone lines, and making other improvements.

During the First World War, anti-German sentiment led the royal family to change their dynastic name from the German House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to the House of Windsor in 1917, taking the name from Windsor Castle.

On the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, Windsor Castle was readied for war-time conditions, with increased security measures, blacked-out windows, and strengthening of the roof above the royal family's rooms.

In 1945, the aging elm trees in the Long Walk, a 3-mile avenue leading into the Great Park at Windsor Castle, were replaced by younger trees. The Long Walk was originally planted by Charles II in 1685.

In February 1952, Elizabeth II decided to make Windsor Castle her principal weekend retreat, moving in with Prince Philip and their two children. The private apartments were renovated and modernised to accommodate the royal family.

A fire partially destroyed Windsor Castle on 20th November 1992.

A fire broke out at Windsor Castle, starting in Queen Victoria's Private Chapel and destroying 115 rooms and two pieces of priceless art. The restoration process took five years and adopted a modern gothic design approach.

The restoration of the rooms damaged by the 1992 fire at Windsor Castle was completed on November 20, 1997. The restoration project, chaired by Prince Philip, revived traditional crafts and cost around £37 million.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018, with a large crowd of well-wishers in attendance, including celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Elton John, and Serena Williams.

In 2020, a new route through the State Entrance Hall at Windsor Castle was completed as part of a series of projects to enhance the visitor experience. The State Entrance is now part of the visitor route, offering a view of the Long Walk.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, passed away at Windsor Castle on 9 April 2021. His death marked the end of an era and was a significant event for the British royal family.

On Christmas Day 2021, a 19-year-old individual attempted to break into Windsor Castle's gardens with a crossbow. The intruder was arrested before causing harm, and later admitted to planning the intrusion as an act of revenge.

On May 7, 2023, a Coronation Concert was held on the lawn in the Home Park near the East Terrace of Windsor Castle to celebrate the coronation of Charles III and Camilla. The concert featured performances by various artists including Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Andrea Bocelli, and was attended by members of the royal family and 20,000 members of the public.

Mary Earps, the England goalkeeper, was honored with the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) at Windsor Castle.