Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Queen Victoria never bought Windsor Castle. It has been a royal residence since the 11th century, passing through the Crown by inheritance.
| Period | Key Events |
|---|---|
| 1070s | William the Conqueror builds motte-and-bailey castle |
| 1170s | Henry II replaces with stone; creates Round Tower core |
| 1350s–1370s | Edward III transforms into Gothic palace (St. George's Hall) |
| 1475–1528 | St. George's Chapel built (Henry VII, Henry VIII) |
| 1660s–1680s | Charles II baroque rebuild (Hugh May, Grinling Gibbons) |
| 1824–1840 | George IV's grand renovation (Wyattville) — current silhouette |
| 1837 | Victoria inherits at accession (age 18) |
| 1840s–1861 | Victoria & Albert make it principal family home; create private apartments |
| 1861–1901 | Widowed Victoria resides primarily here; "Widow of Windsor" |
| 1917 | House of Windsor name adopted (anti-German sentiment) |
| 1992 | Devastating fire; 5-year restoration (£36.5M) |
| 2022 | Elizabeth II's committal service in St. George's Chapel |