Inside the Audience Room at Windsor Castle where King Charles met Ursula von der Leyen
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King Charles met Ursula von der Leyen yesterday in a luxurious room at Windsor Castle.
Not to be confused with its namesake at Buckingham Palace, the White Drawing Room at Windsor is steeped in history.
It is one of three semi-state rooms created as private apartments for George IV. Its interiors were decorated by the firm Morel & Seddon, with a selection of furniture and accessories taken from Carlton House, the former London residence of George IV.
The White, Crimson and Green rooms were used by the late Queen for formal entertainment, a tradition carried on by the current monarch.
The White Drawing Room contains some priceless art objects, from a portrait of Queen Victoria to a rug that survived the Windsor Castle fire in 1992.
King Charles (left) met Ursula von der Leyen (centre) in the White Room at Windsor Castle (pictured), a semi-state room steeped in history.
1. Franz Winterhalter’s portrait of Queen Victoria
The walls of the White Drawing Room are adorned with priceless art, in particular a portrait by Franz Winterhalter of Queen Victoria.
The painting, one of two similar portraits Winterhalter painted of the Queen in 1842, shows the Queen in Garter regalia.
Missing from King Charles’s audience photos are two other Winterhalter portraits: one of Prince Albert and one of the young Prince Albert Edward, later King Edward VII, among other paintings of royalty.
2. Carpet that survived the great fire
The floor of the White Drawing Room is covered in a rug by the famous Devon-based manufacturer Axminster Carpets, dating to at least 1890.
Despite being damaged by smoke from the Windsor Castle fire in 1992, the carpet has since been restored.
The carpet, which was laid in 1851 during the reign of Queen Victoria, was originally placed in the Green Drawing Room.
3. Remond table clock
Sitting on the mantelpiece, this Remond mantel clock is one of the ornate accent pieces that add a luxurious feel to the room.
A Remond mantel clock, with a gold decal, can be seen above the fireplace.
Adorning the clock is a draped bronze figure, believed to represent astronomy. He turns to another figure, a young man carrying two scrolls and a pair of calipers.
The clock, dating from between 1780 and 1829, was taken from George IV’s former London residence, Carlton House, to decorate this room.
4. Chandelier
Also on top of the mantel are a pair of candle holders. The luminaries take the form of classical figures wearing draped robes.
Each of the pieces, which were designed by Etienne Falconet, features a faun and a nymph holding a cornucopia.
They are believed to be part of a set that is moved around the room as needed.
5. White Flower Planter
No royal drawing room would be complete without fresh flowers or plants on display, and the White Drawing Room is no exception, as it features a planter
Fresh flowers are never lacking in the royal residences.
Photos of King Charles’s meeting with Ursula von der Leyen show a pot housing a small plant with foliage and white leaves.
6. Gold panels
Nowhere is George IV’s opulent stamp on the drawing room clearer than on the gold-paneled walls.
They were designed by Morel & Seddon during the King’s extensive refurbishment of the royal residence between 1827 and 1830.
Gilt frames and gold brocade adorning the walls and doors are seen throughout the room, adding a deeply luxurious touch.
7. Fire watch
A white firewall, matching the theme of the room, can be seen in front of the fireplace inside the living room.
While it may be purely decorative, it could also protect the rest of the light-colored room from ashes and other debris should a wood fire break out.
8. Fireplace
No great room is complete without an ornate fireplace, and this Windsor Castle space certainly fits the bill.
It’s touches like the fireplace, which is adorned with an opulent gold pattern, that give the room its luxurious touch and make it suitable for many important occasions.
In addition to being used by the monarch for formal meetings, the room was also chosen by Princess Eugenie for her wedding photos when she married Jack Brooksbank.
9. Duchy Gate
Barely visible in the photos of King Charles’s meeting with Ursula von der Leyen are the double doors of the Duchy, which are decorated in gold.
The ornate gilt doors were designed by Morel & Seddon, King George IV’s main furniture suppliers.
The gilt frames and gold brocade design continue throughout the room, showcasing the opulent taste for which the early 19th-century king was known.
This pair of double doors leads to the crimson and green halls.
10. Pale Silk Sofa
The three-seater sofa is part of a four-piece suite, with two matching armchairs and one two-seater.
Matching the name of the room, these pieces of furniture are made of identical white silk.
Although made from the luxurious fabric, the seats give the room a bit of a homey feel, offering a departure from the other extremely ornate furnishings in the room.