Exploring the tumultuous events that shook the British Royal Family in the 90s, the renowned series, The Crown, delves into the controversies that engulfed Princess Diana and Prince Charles’s marriage, including the infamous BBC interview and the scandal of Tampongate.
In addition to the family’s upheavals during that era, The Crown sheds light on the catastrophic fire that ravaged Windsor Castle in 1992, leaving the Queen profoundly distraught over the devastating incident.
Recounting the origins of the Windsor Castle inferno, on November 20, 1992, a fire erupted around 11:30 am, swiftly engulfing the historic edifice and spreading across more than 100 rooms, encompassing Brunswick Tower and St George’s Hall.
The blaze ignited in the Queen’s Private Chapel, allegedly triggered by a faulty spotlight that set ablaze a curtain at the altar, fueling the fire’s rapid propagation through the chapel and beyond.
Notably, the expansive layout and combustible materials within St George’s Hall facilitated the swift dissemination of the flames throughout the structure, prompting royal staff, soldiers, firefighters, and even members of the Royal Family to join forces in salvaging precious artwork and antiques amid the raging conflagration.
Despite valiant efforts involving 200 firefighters, supported by 25 officers on-site, the inferno persisted for a grueling 15 hours before being finally quelled at 2:30 am on November 21, with 35 water pumps releasing a staggering one and a half million gallons of water to combat the flames, leading to five firefighters being hospitalized.
The arduous restoration process spanned five years, eventually culminating in the resplendent refurbishment of the damaged sections of the castle, restoring its former grandeur by November 20, 1997, coinciding with the 50th wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
In a poignant address following the calamity, the Queen candidly expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of support amidst the tribulations, reflecting on the challenging year, remarking, “1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure.
In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an ‘Annus Horribilis’”.
