Windsor Castle: The Most Romantic Castle in the World

In November 1992, the mystique of the ancient castle threatened to destroy by a huge fire. The fire started at the Queen’s chapel and traveled past through the galleries where the precious royal collection of the family are kept. The Queen, who was staying at that time in Windsor with Prince Andrew, the Duke of York (said to be her favorite son), joined the human chain of servants to save the priceless art collections. The Castle surprisingly has no fire insurance, so it needed a huge budget from the government for the extensive renovation. Monarchy’s critics started to criticize the government but the parliament, loyal supporter of the monarchy, argued that the castle is the ultimate symbol of being British and the focal point of the monarchy, so it must be shouldered by the government and must financed by the public purse. In 1997, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh hosted a thank you dinner for the workers of the renovation.

Prince Charles, the current Prince of Wales, who loved the country life, was heard in June 1999 that he wished to move the royal court from Buckingham Palace to Windsor when he ascend the throne. Today, the Castle is open to the public and considered as one of the major tourist attractions in the World.

Many royalists are hopeful for the romantic notion of the castle to survive in the next centuries, but others are skeptical, citing the irresponsible behavior of some members, including the heir to the throne. They did not behave as royalty anymore who are traditionally looked up by the adoring subjects as model of virtues and morality. Their only remaining ace particularly lies in the strong shoulder of Prince William, second in line to the British throne and looked up by many as the man who can revive the magic of the throne. Windsor Castle, as his ultimate destiny, will always be the romantic status symbol of his love affair to the public and to his duty and obligation to the realms and the Commonwealth.

The future British King, Prince William. If he would be King, he is the first monarch to descend from King Charles I since Queen Anne Stuart. William’s mother, Princess Diana, was a direct descendant of King Charles II, Charles I’s son.

The romance of the castle continue to mesmerize the world, whatever the shortcomings of its inhabitants, the ancient fortress remains the majestic symbol that represents the existence of the highest throne on earth. It will continue to stand through rough times and echoed hard on the medieval walls the footprints of each decade of troubles as well as happiness. But the luster and mystique will never be extinguished; it remains strong as centuries go by.