Weekend trip to Windsor Castle

Last weekend, I visited the Windsor Castle--one of the official residence of Her Majesty The Queen. It is a pleasant trip from London by train, which last only about an hour. Walking around the streets in the town of Windsor gives me a more quite and relaxed feeling compared to crowed city center atmosphere in Oxford. Yet the shops are quite similar with the regular clothing, shoes and food stores. The one interesting spot to see is the farmers' market where fresh produces are brought there for sale.  

Since no photographs are allowed inside the Windsor Castle, I have include this video that is taken for the Queens Speech at the French State Banquet in 2008. This grand dining room within the State Apartment in Windsor Castle is used for important occasions such this welcoming banquet for the head of state. The space is well decorated and I am impressed by the  long table set across the whole room, which is very similar to the setting in Jesus College's dining room, but much more grand and formal. 

Although I cannot remember the formal name of this room, but one interesting thing to see if you have a chance to visit is over one thousand collections of the Coat of Arms. Imaging a room decorated with all kinds of different elegant designs of  blazon. The tradition of using heraldry dates back to the history, for which it is used to help distinguish people in combats when they are covered by helmets and Shields. I wonder if this explains the origin for all the colleges in Oxford to have their own designs of school symbols and flags.

In the self-guided audio tour, I was told that you can approach to the people working in the castle for further explanation for the exhibition. Thus, I walked to a lady working in this specific room for reference. And she kindly showed me some few Coat of Arms such as the Queen's and Margaret Theatre's. One interesting thing during our conversation was that every Christmas, the Queen would hold a celebration ceremony and sent out gifts for each person working in the Castle. Last year's present she got was a pair of whisky cups. 

Another thing I find interesting to learn from the exhibitions in the room is the highest order of chivalry: the Knight of the Garter. It was given to no more than twenty-four companions and also supernumerary knights and ladies such as the British royal family and foreign monarchs.The complicated honor systems such like this one often confuses me while reminds me of the ancient traditions and rituals of the monarchs.

My short exploration of the Windsor Castle ended with a picture that I took with one of the guards at the gate in his full uniform. I think it must be really tired and hot standing still with full uniform in a hot summer day and baring all the tourist passing by to take pictures. I wonder how he thinks about this.