With the arrival of a new royal baby, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have made Windsor their home.
Their residence, Frogmore House, is rarely open to the public, so your chances of catching a glimpse of the newborn are pretty slim. But nearby Windsor Castle remains the main attraction for anyone hoping to peek into the lives of Britain's royals.
The oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, Windsor is the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II, who spends most of her weekends here. While you are unlikely to spot the Queen wandering the corridors in her dressing gown, it is easy to tell when she is home: the Royal Standard flies from the Round Tower whenever she is in residence.
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According to royal officials, Harry and Markle chose the venue because Windsor Castle is "a very special place for the two of them."
Windsor Castle: The Queen spends most of her weekends at Windsor Castle, and the Royal Standard flag is raised from the Round Tower whenever she is at the castle.
The castle itself dates back to around 1070, when William the Conqueror chose the site and construction began. It has seen countless changes since then, with different monarchs adding their own touches over the centuries: Edward III carried out an expensive rebuild in the 14th century, and a major restoration followed a devastating fire in 1992.
If you make the trip, plan to spend around two to three hours at the castle, working your way through the different sections open to visitors.
The Main Event
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's ceremony took place at St George's Chapel, the Gothic place of worship within Windsor Castle that was built in the 14th century.
The striking St George's Chapel is the final resting place of 10 British monarchs, including Henry VIII.
If you want to see the spot where the couple exchanged their wedding vows, you will be glad to hear that a visit to St George's Chapel is included in the price of admission to Windsor Castle. Even so, keep an eye on the Windsor Castle website to make sure the chapel is not closed for events on the day you plan to go.
Incredible Sights
Most visitors are eager to see Queen Mary's Dolls' House, an astonishingly whimsical miniature home complete with electric lighting, hot and cold running water, and even a flushing toilet.
The State Apartments are absurdly lavish, from vaulted, carved ceilings to a Rembrandt hanging on the wall (note that the Semi-State Rooms are only open to visitors from September through March).
Because the castle is still very much in use, some areas may be closed at various times of the year, so check the website, which lists most of the closures in detail. If you want to catch the Changing of the Guard, you need to be inside the castle grounds before the ceremony starts at 11 a.m. (on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays in April 2018, weather permitting).
That said, if it is not a priority, it is better to arrive a little later. The castle can get very crowded, especially during the summer months, and if you come in the afternoon the crowds tend to thin out a bit.
Instead, use the morning to explore The Long Walk, a 3-mile stretch through the magnificent Windsor Great Park that offers the most breathtaking view of the castle (enter via the Cambridge Gate).
It is well worth setting aside time to get to know Windsor, a picturesque English town. You can even follow in the footsteps of Markle and Harry, who rode through Windsor in a carriage after the ceremony.
Tickets to the castle cost £21.20 ($29), or £11.70 ($16) when the State Apartments are closed, and include a multimedia guide (narrated by Prince Charles, no less). Buy your tickets online in advance and you will most likely avoid the long queue at the box office.
Windsor is easy to reach from London by train: routes from Paddington arrive at Windsor & Eton Central (changing at Slough), while those from Waterloo pull into Windsor & Eton Riverside (the castle is a 10-minute walk away).
