History and heritage

Windsor is a town full of royal history and is part of The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, the only Royal Borough outside of London.  

The current Guildhall was built during the reign of William III and Mary II (1689-1694).

Every reigning monarch from Elizabeth 1 to Elizabeth II has gifted the Guildhall a portrait of themselves. Being in such close proximity to Windsor Castle, it is very likely that each of the monarchs featured in the portraits on our walls would have visited the Guildhall during their reign.  

Famous events that have taken place 

• On Monday 27 February 2023, The Windsor Guildhall was the setting for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and President of the European Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen to announce the historic Windsor Framework via a televised press conference which was shown around the world. 
• In April 2005 we hosted the wedding ceremony of Their Royal Highnesses King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The ceremony was conducted by our very own Royal Borough Registrar team. 
• In December 2005 we hosted the civil ceremony of Sir Elton John and David Furnish on the first day that ceremonies became legal.  
• From 1690-1971 the Council Chamber was a Magistrates Court and until recently a Coroner's Court. 

In 1882 

Roderick Maclean, the gentleman who attempted to assassinate Queen Victoria by firing a shot as she passed by in her carriage in Windsor appeared before the magistrates here and he was committed for trial in Reading. 

You can watch a short video about the trial created by the Windsor & Royal borough museum below. 

Rooms inside the Guildhall

The main Council Chamber 

This is the largest room and was part of the original Guildhall before it was extended. Throughout the centuries it has been used for grand balls, council meetings, public meetings and elections. (Although we don't allow dancing at events today due to the listed status of the building). 

The Ascot room 

With its commemorative stained-glass windows has a unique royal story to tell. 

This room is where Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla were married in 2005. With a maximum capacity of around 50 guests and located at the back of the building, choosing this room ensured that their ceremony was an intimate affair and they were able to avoid paparazzi trying to get a photo from the windows and balconies of hotels facing the front of the Guildhall.  

The Mayors Parlour 

This is the smallest of the rooms at the Guildhall and is part of the extension that was built at the rear of the building in 1829 by James Bedborough, a mayor of Windsor. 

In 2009 TV celebrity Davina McCall featured in an episode of Who Do You Think You Are and it was discovered that she was related to James Bedborough. 

A viewer of the programme contacted the BBC to let them know that they had a portrait of James Bedborough and this was then gifted to the Windsor Guildhall.   

Heritage features 

Our walls feature Royal portraits of all of the British monarchs from Queen Elizabeth I to Queen Elizabeth II apart from George I and George II as it is rumoured they didn't like Windsor.  

The Council Chamber is lit by grand chandeliers on loan from the Royal Collection Trust on behalf of The Monarch. King George IV commissioned the three chandeliers in the 1820s. 

Two hang in the Guildhall, the third is hanging in Windsor Castle in The Queen’s Guard Chamber. Made of brass they each have 60 lights, which would have originally been candles. They each weigh around 320 kilogrammes or 700lbs– as much as a small grand piano.  

Windsor & Royal Borough Museum

The Guildhall is also home to the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum. You can visit the museum on selected days.

If you're hosting guests or looking for a unique group activity in Windsor then you can request a private tour of the Guildhall. Contact the Windsor & Royal Borough museum for more information. 

Hire the Guildhall for your special event 

The Windsor Guildhall is a unique heritage backdrop for weddings and private hire events.  

Whether it’s afternoon tea, a drinks reception, formal dining or an awards night, the Guildhall team work with the finest local catering and event suppliers to bring your event to life, making it a truly unique heritage experience for your guests.

Informational videos

• Roderick Maclean, the gentleman who attempted to assassinate Queen Victoria in 1882
• Guided tour of the Guildhall and Museum.