Windsor Castle George IV: The Transformation of a Royal Residence

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George IV, who ruled from 1820 to 1830, made significant changes to Windsor Castle, transforming it into the grand palace it is today. His extensive renovations and additions have left an indelible mark on this iconic royal residence.

Changes Made by George IV

Windsor Castle George IV
Image Credit: Wikimedia
  1. State Apartments: George IV furnished the State Apartments in the grandest manner, incorporating fixtures and fittings from Carlton House, his former London residence.
  2. Gardens: He laid out a D-shaped formal garden on the east front of the Castle, bordered by raised walks and punctuated by numerous bronze statues and vases.
  3. Architectural Style: George IV’s renovations were done in the Gothic Revival style, which was popular during the Regency period. He raised the height of the Round Tower, reclothed the exterior in massive masonry, and added towers and battlements.
  4. New Rooms and Spaces: He created several new rooms and spaces, including the Waterloo Chamber, the Semi-State Rooms, and the Grand Staircase. The Waterloo Chamber was built to celebrate the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815.
  5. Furnishings: The firm of Morel & Seddon supplied the furnishings, much of which was in the French Empire style.

Specific Rooms Created or Rebuilt

Windsor Castle George IV

  1. Waterloo Chamber: A grand room built to commemorate the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815.
  2. Semi-State Rooms: Private apartments created for George IV, featuring interiors decorated by Morel & Seddon.
  3. Grand Staircase: A new staircase was installed, with a wide first flight rising to a landing and twin upper flights leading back.

Cost and Timing

  1. Cost: George IV’s improvements to the Castle cost nearly £300,000 by the time he took up residence in 1828.
  2. Timing: The renovations began in 1820 and continued until George IV’s death in 1830. His successor, William IV, continued the work, which was completed by 1832.

Architectural Style Associated with George IV’s Renovations

The architectural style associated with George IV’s renovations at Windsor Castle is the Gothic Revival style, which was popular during the Regency period. This style is characterized by the use of pointed arches, ribbed vaulting, and other medieval architectural elements, often combined with modern materials and construction techniques.

Additional Facts

  1. George IV’s Residence: George IV did not take up residence at Windsor until the end of 1828 and only enjoyed his extensive alterations for 18 months before his death in 1830.
  2. Legacy: George IV’s restoration of the Castle was so comprehensive that little was done by his immediate successors. His work set the stage for future monarchs to continue enhancing the Castle.

References:
– Royal Collection Trust. (n.d.). Who lived at Windsor Castle? Retrieved from https://www.rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle/who-lived-at-windsor-castle
– The Royal Family. (n.d.). George IV (r. 1820-1830). Retrieved from https://www.royal.uk/george-iv
– Wikipedia. (n.d.). George IV. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_IV
– Royal Collection Trust. (n.d.). Who built Windsor Castle? Retrieved from https://www.rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle/who-built-windsor-castle
– Royal Collection Trust. (n.d.). Highlights of Windsor Castle. Retrieved from https://www.rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle/highlights-of-windsor-castle

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