(CNN) — With a new royal baby on the scene, the Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have properly made their home in Windsor.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will marry at Windsor Castle in May 2018.
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The oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, Windsor is an official residence of Queen Elizabeth II, who spends most of her weekends there. While you’re unlikely to spot the Queen strolling down the hallways in her housecoat, it’s easy to tell whether she’s at home — the Royal Standard flag flies from the Round Tower whenever she’s in residence.
According to royal officials, Harry and Markle picked the venue because Windsor Castle is “a special place for the two of them.”
The castle itself dates back to around 1070, when William the Conqueror chose the land and construction began. It has seen many changes since that time, with various royals making adjustments over the years — Edward III made costly renovations in the 14th century, and extensive restorations were undertaken following a devastating fire in 1992.
The main event
St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will have their service.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s ceremony took place in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle’s Gothic place of worship which dates back to the 14th century.
The spectacular St George’s is also the final resting place of 10 of Britain’s monarchs, including Henry VIII.
If you want to see where the wedding vows were exchanged, you’ll be pleased that marveling at St George’s Chapel is included in a Windsor Castle admission ticket. That said, keep an eye on the Windsor Castle website to make sure the chapel isn’t closed for events on your chosen day.
Incredible must-sees
The grand interior of St George’s Hall, at Windsor Castle, where Harry and Meghan will hold their post-wedding reception.
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Most visitors make a beeline for Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, an extraordinarily intricate affair with electric lights, hot and cold running water and even a flushing toilet.
The State Apartments are absurdly luxurious, from the vaulted carved ceilings to the Rembrandt hanging on the wall (note that the Semi-State Rooms are only open to the public between September and March).
Queen Elizabeth II leaving the 2017 Easter Day service at St George’s Chapel.
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The changing the Guard takes place at Windsor Castle at 11am.
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However, if that’s not a priority, you might want to arrive a little later. The castle can get extraordinarily busy, particularly during the summer months, and visiting in the afternoon means the crowds will have diminished somewhat.
It’s worth making time to explore Windsor, a picturesque English town. You can even map the footsteps of Markle and Harry, who took a carriage procession through Windsor post-ceremony.
Exploring Windsor town is also worth doing.
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Tickets to the castle in 2018 cost £21.20 ($29), or £11.70 ($16) when the State Apartments are closed, and include a multi-media guide (introduced by Prince Charles, no less). Buy tickets in advance online and you’ll likely avoid the larger line at the ticket desk.
