15 February 2017
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The Long Walk
The history of the world’s oldest and largest inhabited castle is celebrated in six stamps which present interior and exterior views of this historic building, which has been a favoured home of Britain’s kings and queens for centuries.
The history of the world’s oldest and largest inhabited castle is celebrated in six stamps which present interior and exterior views of this historic building, which has been a favoured home of Britain’s kings and queens for centuries.
Built around 1080 by William the Conqueror, Windsor Castle has been the home of Britain’s monarchs for more than 900 years and is the home of Queen Elizabeth II, as well as being a working palace where ceremonial and state occasions are held.
The original 11th-century castle was converted into a royal home by king Henry II in the 12th century and since then, generations of monarchs have expanded and upgraded the building to suit changing needs and lifestyles.
THE STAMPS
The Windsor Castle set begins with a view of Long Walk, the 2.65-mile approach to Windsor Castle which has been featured in hundreds of paintings and photographs over the years.
The second 1st class value shows Windsor Castle’s magnificent Round Tower, which has been an imposing feature of this historic building since 1180. Its height was increased by nine metres as part of King George IV’s building projects at the castle.
The final exterior shot of the castle (also 1st class) shows the Norman Gate, which was built in 1357 and was the principal entrance to the Upper Ward of the castle.
The first of the interior views in the set features St George’s Hall (£1.52), which was one of the rooms most damaged by the 1992 fire. This 15th-century banqueting hall can seat 160 guests and is still used as a venue for State banquets.
Next (£1.52) is the Queen’s Ballroom, which, as its name suggests, has been the venue for many royal balls and parties. The room houses huge works ofart, including The Five Eldest Children of King Charles I by Van Dyck. The ballroom has an ornately decorated ceiling and delicate chandeliers and is furnished by rare silver furniture from the reign of King Charles II.
The last of the six stamps (£1.52) shows the Waterloo Chamber, which was built in 1830-31 in celebration of the defeat of Napoleon by the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. The Waterloo Chamber was designed by architect Jeffry Wyatville and contains paintings by artist Sir Thomas Lawrence of many of the key figures responsible for Napoleon’s defeat.
Stamp details
Issue date: 15 February, 2017
Design: Up
Stamp format: Olympic Landscape
Stamp size: 60mm x 30mm
Printer: International Security Printers
Print process: Lithography
Perforations: 14.5 x 14.5
Phosphor: Bars as appropriate
Gum: PVA
1st: The Long Walk
1st: The Round Tower
1st: The Norman Gate
£1.52: St George’s Hall
£1.52: The Queen’s Ballrooom
£1.52: The Waterloo Chamber
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