ST GEORGE'S HALL

Though much can be said in praise of the work done on the interiors at Windsor by Wyatville and his master, King George IV, one cannot but regret some of the more drastic alterations. St George's Hall, magnificent though it may be, replaced two matchless baroque chambers of the Carolean period with richly decorated walls and ceilings by Antonio Verrio and designed by Charles II's architect Hugh May. They must have been among the finest rooms of their kind and though their destruction is to be deplored, it was probably inevitable in view of the state into which they had fallen. This 'unduly tunnel-like chamber' as W St John Hope described it, is 185 feet long.

We are now in part of the Castle built by Edward III. Wyatville doubled its length and added a 'medieval' roof emblazoned with the shields of arms of former Knights of the Garter. Edward III would have felt more at home here than in Hugh May's baroque fantasy.

The large full-length portraits are of Sovereigns of the Order of the Garter in their robes from James I to George IV and there are busts of royal personages by Joseph Nollekens, Baron Marochetti, Louis Roubiliac, Sir Francis Chantrey and others.

This room is in regular use by the Queen when she entertains other heads of state. It was here that Queen Victoria entertained King Louis Philippe to dinner on the evening of October 11th 1844. The Hall was lit by thousands of candles whose flames were reflected in the profusion of gold and silver plate, with many red-liveried footmen in attendance.

St George's Hall in spirit is a celebration of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, with its heraldry, badges, armour and symbols of St George.