The year 1992 was full of reasons to celebrate for Queen Elizabeth as she turned 40 years on the throne.
Instead, a challenging 12 months ended with Windsor Castle burning on November 20, a fateful day that also coincided with the Queen and Prince Philip’s 45th wedding anniversary.
The beloved royal residence was so damaged by the fire and its 40-foot flames that it would not be fully restored until five years later, on the couple’s 50th anniversary.
It would be an expensive restoration costing around £36.5 million, which, at current prices, would be more than double that.
It was originally thought that the government would foot the bill with taxpayers’ money, but this sparked outrage from politicians and the public.
The catastrophic event devastated the Queen and was later discovered to have been started by a halogen lamp in Queen Victoria’s private chapel.
Prince Andrew was staying at the castle when the fire broke out and called his shocked mother to give her the news.
Windsor Castle on fire as firefighters battle the blaze on November 20, 1992
Queen Elizabeth assesses the damage with a firefighter
A beautiful painting rescued from the fire… a team of restorers was working on the Windsor artwork when one of them noticed a burning smell
Asked how the monarch reacted at the time, Buckingham Palace press officer Dickie Arbiter said: “Probably the same reaction as yours if you saw your house burning.” Very annoying.’
At around 11:15 a.m., a team of painting restorers was working on artwork when a burning smell was smelled.
To compound the misfortune, the paintings were not usually kept in the chapel and the Daily Mail reported at the time that “they were stored there during wiring work.”
Soon, one of the restorers was said to have “saw the top of the curtains on fire.”
In an attempt to save the paintings, “the alarm was quickly raised and restorers began frantically removing the works of art.”
At 11.45am the chapel was consumed by fire and Andrew notified the Queen of the ongoing devastation. It has spread to St George’s Hall next door, the Brunswick Tower and surrounding private apartments.
The devastating aftermath of the fire at St George’s Hall, Windsor Castle
Firefighters and soldiers gather at Windsor Castle to fight the fire.
The Queen is escorted by a firefighter around the grounds while others fight the fire.
Firefighters worked tirelessly for 15 hours and more than 220 people were called to the scene to control the fire.
The Mail told how “long after dark, 40-foot flames were erupting like a volcano from the Brunswick Tower.”
Windsor Castle was built using large quantities of timber which, combined with the 140ft curtains at St George’s Hall, helped the fire spread rapidly.
Reports from the time described how “the flames snaked along the decorative wooden ceiling, fanned by the draft in the lofty room, and roared towards the Statistical Chambers, King John’s Tower, Prince of Wales’s Tower. Wales and Chester Tower”.
The Queen arrived around 3pm, followed shortly afterwards by Prince Charles, to assess the damage and supervise items being removed from the castle.
She was so shocked by the scenes that she put her hand over her mouth and Prince Andrew told reporters at the time: “It’s horrible, horrible, terrible.”
He added: “I was there in the Mews doing research for the Staff College when I heard the alarm. I went straight up to see what I could do.
Andrew helped carry out the objects: “I was in a human chain just now and I grabbed some very heavy furniture and carried it over.”
Prince Andrew, who was in the castle when the fire started and helped remove some of its contents, with a firefighter.
People form a chain to help remove books and artwork from the castle as the fire continues.
The fire destroyed 115 rooms in the castle, including nine official cabins.
The front page of the Daily Mail on November 21, the day after the fire broke out.
The Mail’s coverage of the fire, including quotes from Prince Andrew at the scene
The Mail report days after the fire when the restoration began
“Priceless pieces,” including mirrors and paintings rescued from the fire, were safely hidden in a lawn near the Quadrangle.
It was later revealed that “a powerful halogen lamp ignited a flammable liquid” that was being used to restore photographs.
The flame then ignited nearby tapestries and curtains before taking over the wooden walls, the Mail said at the time.
According to the Palace’s report on the fire, approximately 370 people helped transport life-saving items, including 125 castle employees and community members.
Fortunately, only two works of art were lost in the fire: a rosewood sideboard and a very large painting by Sir William Beechey that could not be removed from the wall in time.
Although much of the contents had been saved, the fire had still destroyed 115 rooms in the castle, including nine official staterooms. St. George’s Hall, a banqueting gallery, had completely collapsed, as had the floors of the Brunswick Tower.
The Queen inspects the damage after the fire on November 21
Fire trucks, ladders and hoses surround the castle as the military battles the fire.
Flames can be seen roaring from the castle windows.
The Heritage Secretary at the time, Peter Brooke, originally proposed that “his department would cover the cost because the castle was state property and not the Queen’s personal possession”, the Mail said.
However, in the end the repair costs were met by charging the public for admission to Windsor Castle and opening access to Buckingham Palace.
Elizabeth also contributed £2 million of her own money and agreed to start paying income tax on her money from the Duchy of Lancaster, as well as capital gains tax on her private investments.
Apart from watching one of her favorite residences burn down, 1992 had been a solemn year for the Queen for other reasons.
The Queen had witnessed three of her children, Prince Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew, all separated from their partners.
Firefighters work to extinguish the flames at Windsor Castle.
Prince Edward arrives to inspect the fire damage at Windsor Castle.
Front page of the Mail after it was revealed that a halogen lamp caused the fire
Four days after the fire, in a speech marking 40 years on the throne, he said: ‘1992 is not a year I will remember with absolute pleasure. In the words of one of my most sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be a annus horribilis.’
The Queen continued: ‘Indeed, I suspect there are very few people or institutions who have not been affected by these recent months of global upheaval and uncertainty.
“This generosity and unconditional kindness from the City Corporation towards Prince Philip and me would be welcome at any time, but at this particular moment, following Friday’s tragic fire in Windsor, it is especially so.”
“And, after this last weekend, we appreciate even more what has been presented to us today.”