Windsor Castle is ready for Christmas with a 20-foot tree

A six-metre-high Christmas tree has been erected at Windsor Castle, where the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh spend the Christmas season together.

The monarch and Philip will spend December 25 in peace and quiet, having decided to celebrate as a couple rather than gathering in a bubble with their royal relatives, despite the temporary easing of coronavirus restrictions.

It will be the first time in over 30 years that the Queen and Duke will spend Christmas at Windsor in Berkshire rather than heading to Sandringham in Norfolk.

There is already a festive atmosphere in the royal residence, which has been the family home of kings and queens for almost 1,000 years.

A gigantic Norwegian spruce from Windsor Great Park, adorned with 3,000 lights and hundreds of dazzling ornaments made of glass and red and gold mirrors, takes pride of place in the historic St George's Hall, the castle's largest room.

Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, brought the first Christmas tree to the palace in the late 18th century. It was shaped like a yew branch, as was the tradition in her native Germany.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert later ensured that Christmas trees became increasingly popular in Great Britain.

The Royal Collection Trust has released a video showing this year's tree being selected and felled by the forestry team in the park, which is part of the Crown Estate, before being transported along the Long Walk to the castle.

The State Apartments have been transformed throughout with trees, twinkling lights and garlands.

The Queen and Philip have spent most of the lockdown in Windsor.

It is said to be the monarch's favourite residence when she is not spending her summer holidays in Balmoral or her traditional Christmas holidays in Sandringham.

From 3 December, visitors are once again welcome to the Royal Collection to explore the historic state rooms.

To mark the 200th anniversary of George IV's accession to the throne in 1820, his gilded Grand Service is spectacularly displayed on the table in the State Dining Room.

The service is still used today by the Queen and her guests at state banquets.

The Waterloo Chamber displays wartime pantomime paintings commissioned during the Second World War to cover the castle's bare walls.

Festive storytelling and craft activities for families take place on Saturdays in December.

Tickets should be booked in advance at www.rct.uk or by calling 0303 123 7304.