For Release: Jan. 22, 2007
For the better part of a millennium, Windsor Castle--the awesome fortress, family home, treasure trove and burial ground for the royal dynasty that took its name--has been at the heart of British history. But there is another side to the castle that tourists never see. It is the real Windsor, a beloved home to not only the royal family, but the more than 400 people who live and work there year-round--housekeepers, chefs, farmers, horse trainers, clockmakers, military knights, clerics and more. Windsor Castle: A Royal Year allows viewers to witness crown and community living and working side by side. The program airs Wednesdays, beginning Feb. 7 at 9/8 p.m. CT on KET2 and Thursdays, beginning Feb. 8 at 10/9 p.m. CT on KET1.
For the first time Queen Elizabeth allowed cameras to chronicle a year in the life of the castle, with Prince Philip as the frequent guide. This unprecedented access gives viewers an upstairs/downstairs look at the castle from the perspective of the royal family and the devoted staff who live and work within the castle's 900 rooms. Viewers also see many of the luminaries who pass through the castle gates, including Sir Edmund Hillary, Eric Clapton and David Hasselhoff.
Windsor Castle plays host to a unique collection of events--the pageantry of Garter Day, the glamour of Cartier Polo and the tradition of Royal Ascot. The castle prepares for a two-day visit from France's President and Madame Chirac, the annual cattle judging contest, Christmas caroling and the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, which includes 35,000 daffodils, 19,500 canapés and more than 2,000 well-wishers and 800 guests for the prayer and dedication at St. George's Chapel.
Windsor Castle: A Royal Year is a co-production of RDF Media and History Television International in association with Oregon Public Broadcasting. More information about KET programming and education services, as well as how to support KET, can be found at www.ket.org.