This year’s Christmas display at Windsor Castle will celebrate the 675th anniversary of the Order of the Garter, the oldest order of chivalry in Britain which was founded in Windsor in 1348.

A magnificent 20-foot-high Nordmann Fir tree in St George's Hall, grown nearby in Windsor Great Park, is the highlight of the Christmas display. This year it will be topped by a specially commissioned sparkling Garter Star to commemorate the anniversary, alongside Coronation-themed decorations to celebrate this special year.

Another glistening Christmas tree topped with a Garter Star will be in the Crimson Drawing Room – one of the most elaborate rooms in the Castle. Part of the Semi-State Rooms created as private apartments for George IV, these rooms on the east side of the Castle are still used by members of the Royal Family for official entertaining and are open to visitors over the winter months.

In the Waterloo Chamber, the 160-foot-long dining table will be laid with porcelain from the Garter Service, featuring a design inspired by the Garter star and the Order’s motto ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense (Shame on him who thinks evil of it)’.

Impressive garlands on the Grand Staircase will greet visitors as they enter the State Apartments, while outside, festive wreaths and foliage will adorn gates and lampposts in the Castle grounds.

After exploring the State Apartments, visitors can treat themselves to a festive menu in the Undercroft Café, available throughout December, where there will be another spectacular tree dressed with sparkling Garter Stars to commemorate the anniversary.

On select dates in December, local school and community choirs will perform carols beneath the Christmas tree in St George’s Hall.

Families can participate in craft activities and workshops exploring how the Victorians celebrated Christmas, held at the Learning Centre every Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday between Saturday, 16 December 2023 and Monday, 1 January 2024.

St George’s Chapel will be open to visitors to the Castle on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and services are open to all, seven days a week. Advent, the period leading up to Christmas, begins on Sunday, 3 December. The Chapel is the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, and the impressive crests and banners of the current Knights and Ladies can be seen above the Quire stalls.