Windsor Castle

Today we took a field trip to Windsor Castle - its about 20 minutes away by train and the Queen's favorite weekend spot - the interiors are literally used by the royal family quite often for banquets and just to relax and escape London.

Here is our class in front of the main entrance! (I'm sixth from the left)

Unfortunately I cannot share many pictures from inside the walls (not allowed!) but you will have to believe me when I say it was one of the most incredible opportunities to be able to go "behind the scenes" through doors locked with 8-inch keys and handle the royal family's private silver collection (soup tureens/dinner plates/salts/chalices all in pure silver and gilded in gold), the royal collection of drawings by Leonardo, Bernini, and Holbein to name a few, and get a private behind-the-red-rope tour of the most incredible pieces of furniture. We were able to open the bureaus, cabinets, and chests that are meant to be seen but not touched and listen to the most educated, intelligent experts talk about their favorite objects belonging to the royal family. 

Here are a few pictures of the outside though: 

One of my favorite moments from the day was undoubtedly when the furniture/decorative arts curator was showing us a 18th-century commode - he was opening up the drawers and talking about how the construction actually wasn't very useable. The corrugated facade makes for awkward angles at the hinges - the piece was much more of a show-piece than something meant to hold things like clothing. While he was opening one of these awkwardly shaped drawers, a piece of the ormolu mountings FELL OFF IN HIS HANDS. Not joking...everyone went completely silent and I think my chin dropped to the floor. He kept his cool though and talked about how the brass mounts were only held on with glue and just continued, saying "well this is a good opportunity to show you what these look like from the back." He then left the piece sitting on top of the chest and said they should probably call the restorer later today...

The realities of working with antique furniture! The other highlight was handling the silver gilt dinner plates and elaborate candlesticks used at royal banquets like coronations/etc. They are incredible pieces of silver but are literally used all the time - they have knife marks from continuous use but are literally museum quality pieces. Oh, to be a member of the royal family...

Last stop of the day was in the prints and drawings room where we looked at preparatory sketches Holbein drew of the royal family for the portraits he made - seeing the sketches makes you feel so much closer to the artist. We got up close and personal with Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, and others in this room. I'll never forget it - I love my school. 

Right before the castle closed for visitors, a few friends and I nipped inside the chapel and saw the tomb of Henry VIII. Surprisingly, this is it - no effigy or anything, just a plaque stating that his remains are in the vault below. 

Lastly, this was just really funny - Kate is painted on the side of the telephone booth!

...and now onto finishing a presentation for Friday. It was a long day and comprehending philosophy after an information overload is going to take a glass of wine for sure :) onto the rest of the week!