First the family fell apart, then her house went up in flames – a fiery end to a devastating year for Queen Elizabeth II. No wonder she called it her ‘annus horribilis’…
It had already been a year marked by sadness. Prince Charles, Prince Andrew and Princess Anne all announced the end of their respective marriages in 1992.
So perhaps the royal family should have braced themselves for more disaster when, as the end of the year drew near, they were dealt a final terrifying blow.
A fire broke out at Windsor Castle, engulfing much of the historic royal residence and wiping out years of history.
No wonder a devastated Queen Elizabeth, who had happily stayed at Buckingham Palace, would describe it as her ‘annus horribilis’.
The fire had started at about 11:15 am in Queen Victoria’s private chapel, where a curtain next to the altar was ignited by the heat of a light against it.
It was on this day in 1992 that a devastating fire broke out at Windsor Castle, prompting the Queen to describe the fading year as an ‘annus horribilis’.
More than 220 firefighters from seven provinces arrived in Windsor in an attempt to extinguish the fire
After hearing the news, the Queen rushed 20 miles from Buckingham Palace to Windsor
Sometime between 11:20 and 11:30 a.m. the fire was discovered and the three members of the royal household left the chapel.
After just minutes the fire was unstoppable and had spread to the adjacent St George’s Hall, Brunswick Tower and surrounding private apartments.
Within three hours of the fire being first discovered, more than 220 firefighters from seven provinces arrived in Windsor in an attempt to extinguish the blaze.
According to the Royal Collection Trust, the soldiers worked tirelessly for 15 hours, using 36 pumps to spray 1.5 million liters of water.
Although the Queen was not at Windsor Castle at the time, her son, Prince Andrew, was present when the fire started.
The Duke of York was still shocked by the scene. He told reporters at the time: ‘I heard the fire alarm and when I came out of the room I could see the smoke.
‘My reaction was shock and horror that it took hold so quickly.’
While Windsor Castle Fire Brigade and the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service battled the blaze, Prince Andrew and his staff worked to remove artwork from the fire path.
According to the palace’s report on the fire, approximately 370 people took part in the recovery process, including 125 castle employees and community members.
About 370 people took part in the recovery process, including Prince Andrew and 125 Castle employees and community members
Although the Queen was not at Windsor Castle at the time, her son, Prince Andrew, was present when the fire started
Soldiers worked tirelessly for fifteen hours using 36 pumps to spray 1.5 million liters of water
After rushing 20 miles west to Windsor, the queen immediately became trapped and, along with her son, firefighters and other emergency workers, joined a human chain to move photos, tables, clocks and irreplaceable antiques to safety.
Fortunately, only two works of art were lost in the fire: a rosewood sideboard and a very large painting by Sir William Beechey that could not be removed from the wall in time.
Later, Her Majesty was forced to watch as firefighters battled the inferno that ripped through her favorite home and the largest inhabited castle in the world.
Four days later, in a speech to mark her fortieth anniversary on the throne, she said: ‘1992 is not a year I will look back on with unmitigated pleasure. In the words of one of my most sympathetic correspondents: it has become an annus horribilis.’
The Queen continued: “Indeed, I suspect there are very few people or institutions who have not been affected by these final months of global unrest and uncertainty. This generosity and genuine kindness from the Corporation of the City to Prince Philip and me would be welcome at any time, but at this particular moment, in the wake of Friday’s tragic fire in Windsor, it is particularly so. And after this past weekend, we appreciate even more what awaits us today.”
In total, the catastrophic fire destroyed 115 rooms in the castle, including nine official staterooms. St. George’s Hall, a gallery where banquets were held, had completely collapsed, along with the floors of Brunswick Tower.
The restoration cost around £36.5 million, which is more than double what it is today. It was initially expected to cost £60 million in 1997.
Four days later, in a speech to mark her fortieth anniversary on the throne, she said: “1992 is not a year I will look back on with unmitigated pleasure.”
In total, the fire destroyed 115 rooms in the castle, including nine official staterooms
St. George’s Hall (pictured), a gallery where banquets were held, had completely collapsed, along with the floors of Brunswick Tower
Pictured: Workers continue to work on the gutted remains of St. Georges Hall eight weeks after the Great Windsor Castle fire
Prime Minister John Major proposed that Parliament should foot the bill, but there was significant resistance to this from other MPs, the media and the public, with many believing the Royal Family should foot the bill.
Ultimately, the costs of repair and restoration were covered by charging public access to Windsor Castle and by opening Buckingham Palace to entry.
Queen Elizabeth also contributed £2 million of her own money and she agreed to start paying income tax.
Restoration work was completed five years later in November 1997, which also coincided with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s 50th wedding anniversary.