The Royal Lodge has, over the years, undergone many renovations and has slowly transformed from a modest hunting lodge into a larger, grander residence. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, during the reign of King George IV, the Royal Lodge was first operated as a hunting lodge and a retreat for the royal family, adding luxury to its original purpose. It was remodelled to adhere to the king’s tastes, and extra wings and decorative embellishments were added to the property.
It wasn’t until the twentieth century, however, that the Royal Lodge gained its reputation as a royal residence. During this time, it became the home of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. The couple took up residence in the property in 1931, when they were the Duke and Duchess of York. The lodge became a much-loved family home for the pair and for their daughters, Princess Elizabeth (who would later become Queen Elizabeth II) and Princess Margaret. Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, would continue to reside there until her death in 2002.
After the Queen Mother’s death, the Royal Lodge was significantly refurbished. In 2004, it became the official residence of the controversial Prince Andrew, Duke of York, who was granted a long-term lease on the property. It is where he currently lives, and the property remains a prominent royal residence.
A Journey Throughout History
The lodge has had several names over the years. It was once known as Lower Lodge and then Great Lodge before it became known as Royal Lodge. The residence was not primarily for royals until the later part of the nineteenth century and the early part of the twentieth. In the mid-eighteenth century, the lodge was home to military topographer and artist Thomas Sandby, who lived in it as the deputy ranger of the Great Park surrounding Windsor. Later, it was occupied by Joseph Frost, who was the park bailiff and who took over as general superintendent of the farms after Sandby died.
The house was almost totally demolished in the mid-nineteenth century at the request of King William IV. Apart from the conservatory, the house was completely rebuilt and by the 1840s the home was being used as accommodation for officers of the royal household.
The Royal Lodge is a fantastic example of Georgian architecture, with symmetrical design and gorgeous sash windows. Inside it is keeping with traditional Georgian design and features personal elements added by its many royal occupants. There is a large drawing room and the original conservatory. There are 30 rooms, a chapel, six lodge cottages, and a gardener’s cottage, reflecting the Lodge’s history as a farming building and its location in Windsor Park.
Over the years, the Lodge has seen many important visitors, including Winston Churchill, during World War II. Churchill was a close confidant of King George VI, and the Lodge was the perfect location for the two men to discuss in private affairs of the state during the war. These meetings were key to deciding matters of strategy during some of the most challenging parts of the war. The Lodge has also been host to many foreign dignitaries who have stayed for informal visits, allowing the royal family to develop strong international relationships in a private and relaxed environment. More recently, Prince Andrew’s daughter, Princess Eugenie, held her wedding to Jack Brooksbank at the property in 2018.
The Royal Lodge is also home to a number of important heirlooms and pieces of artwork. As it was home to the Queen Mother for many years, some of her personal letters, photographs, and memorabilia likely remain in the property still. It is also home to portraits of its royal residents over the years, including the Queen Mother and King George VI. During Queen Elizabeth II’s childhood, the property became home to her quaint, thatched Wendy House which was gifted to her by the people of Wales. This was a gift any little girl would dream of – a fairytale-style house in which to play make-believe. The house sits in its own garden and is fully fitted out with real glass windows, comfortable furniture, china tea sets, and cabinets full of Beatrix Potter books. It even has a working electric cooker, a fridge, and running water.
Princess Beatrice, who oversaw a refresh of the decorations in the cottage in 2012 describes it as ‘the most glamorous Wendy House ever.’ It is something of a miracle, however, that the cottage made it to Windsor in the first place, as it caught fire on the back of the lorry on which it was first transported and had to be returned to Wales for repairs before it finally made its way back to Windsor. The Wendy House remains on the property to this day as a monument to the monarch’s childhood and it is known to be very popular with younger royals even now.
Current Residents
Today, there is some controversy surrounding the Royal Lodge as it is home to Prince Andrew. He was granted the lease to the property by Queen Elizabeth II in 2004, and he moved into the property with his then wife Sarah Ferguson, and their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Prince Andrew undertook major renovations on the property, however, rumour has it that the property is incredibly expensive to maintain, and it has since fallen into something of a state of disrepair with the renovations still incomplete. Given the historical significance of the property and its connection to the beloved late Queen Elizabeth, Prince Andrew will most likely be self-financing, to fulfil the requirements to keep up the maintenance of the 19th Century listed building.
Royal Lodge has been through many changes over the years, reflecting its many royal and non-royal residents. As an ever-developing property in the hands of an ever-developing royal family, it will be interesting to see how the property changes in years to come, particularly under the reign of a new monarch in a period of transition for such a longstanding establishment.
