Royal Family Tells Story of Windsor Castle Restoration

The Learning Channel’s “Windsor Restored” gives members of England’s rather beleaguered royal family the opportunity to let down their guard and express their sentiments about Windsor Castle, which was devastated by a fire five years ago on the 45th wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

Prince Andrew talks about how he pitched in with the 250 firefighters and numerous volunteers to save Windsor’s precious treasures. Prince Charles chats warmly about playing badminton as a child in one of the grand halls that went up in flames. And Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, discusses the decision to raise funds for the $60-million restoration from the entrance fees to Buckingham Palace and to Windsor.

“Windsor Restored” also happens to be produced by Edward Windsor, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

Windsor, 33, was the first male member of the royal family to break a century-old tradition of military service when he resigned from the Royal Marines in 1987. He worked for three years as a production assistant at Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Theatre Company (where his duties included serving tea) and then formed a production company in 1993 with partner Eben Foggitt. Besides “Windsor Restored,” they have produced several documentaries and dramatic series, including “Castle Ghosts of Wales,” which was seen recently on the Learning Channel.

From the time the fire broke out--due to a spotlight that ignited a curtain in the queen’s private chapel--Windsor knew there was a “major story” to tell.

“Personally, I thought it was important [to do the documentary] given the fact that people who had been to visit the castle in the intervening years had obviously helped to contribute to the funds to restore it,” Windsor says.

“Windsor Restored” also examines the decision by a committee chaired by Prince Philip to restore some rooms, replace others and create new ones.

In some cases, the structure, which dates back to 1070 and is Europe’s largest occupied castle, had to be stripped back to the stonework, which revealed aspects of the castle’s complex heritage--including the layout of the old kitchen court, complete with a 14th century lantern roof and a medieval well reaching down about 138 feet to the Thames.

Though 115 rooms were destroyed, Windsor says that the fire damage could have been much worse. As fate would have it, the castle was undergoing rewiring work.

“Much of the contents were out. It was extraordinary in a way. Luck did have it that it did happen when it did and where it did. If it had gotten into the area that was still furnished, it would have been a different story.”

Windsor acknowledges that the castle holds a special place in the hearts of his family. “Ever since the queen and the duke of Edinburgh decided to adopt it as a home, the immediate family has been brought up there. So it has been special.”

Two weeks ago, the royal family held a thank you party for the craftsmen who worked so diligently to restore the castle.

“There is a bit more work to do yet,” Windsor says. “But it’s back. It’s very exciting, and the fact that it’s been done in five years is also amazing.

* “Windsor Restored” can be seen at 7 and 10 tonight on cable’s Learning Channel.