The Queen made a permanent move from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. Ever since then, the 96-year-old monarch as been pictured carrying out her official duties and audiences from the estate in Berkshire.
Her Majesty has has a special place in her heart for Windsor as she has lived there her entire life, whether that is in the main castle itself or in Royal Lodge with her parents when she was young.
While Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the monarch, The Queen and other members of The Royal Family are said to have never warmed to it - with many believing that it is seen exclusively as an office, rather than a home.
A former royal chef has offered his insight into Her Majesty's permanent move and why he believes she will be much happier at Windsor.
Darren McGrady worked for the Royal Family for 15 years, having received his formal training at the Savoy Hotel in London. Throughout his career he cooked for everyone from The Queen to Diana, Princess of Wales.
McGrady spoke to Coffee Friend about Her Majesty, he said: “It’s no surprise the Queen has moved to Windsor, she’s never really liked the palace, it’s always been the office to the Queen.
"The Queen would always be whizzing off back to Windsor Castle, she can’t wait to get back there. She loves it there, so it’s no surprise she’s moved there permanently.
“The Queen can go out, walk the dogs, go out and see the horses in the back garden. For the Queen, it’s always been dogs and horses first. That’s her passion, that’s her hobbies. And why shouldn’t she at 96 enjoy that.
"Let Charles and William take on some of the other engagements, she should just be spending time with the horses and the dogs every day now. Her family are all close by too in Windsor.”
The monarch is very fond of Windsor Castle which boasts 1000 rooms and 484,000 square feet of space. She spent the pandemic in the 900-year-old property along with the 'HMS bubble' of 22 staff members, including her dresser, Angela Kelly.
Windsor is also where her late husband, The Duke of Edinburgh, spent his final days and where his funeral was held at St George's Chapel.
Her Majesty's distaste for Buckingham Palace was previously explored by royal biographer Penny Junor in her book, The Firm. She wrote how The Queen wanted to stay living at Clarence House after her father's death and use the palace as the office.
Junor said: "None of them wanted to go. They loved Clarence House; it was a family home, but Winston Churchill, who was then Prime Minister, insisted upon it."
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