Q: Jennifer - Ohio
Since visiting St. George's Chapel, Windsor last summer, I have discovered that there is a library there which I was not aware of. Could you tell me more about this place?
A library has been in existence from the establishment of the Chapel in 1348. Tthe first books were kept chained to desks in the library.
The library presently contains over 6,000 rare books, many still in their original bindings. There are over 800 volumes printed in the 16th century and 4,500 printed in the 17th century, forming a splendid sequence from the main English and European printing presses of the time.
Alongside the theological works are world atlases, books on history, medicine, the arts, mathematics, the classics, bibliography, law and natural history.
Among the early printed books are a very fine Caxton, The Mirrour of the World and the Crafte to Lyve Well and to Dye Well printed by Wynkyn de Worde, as well as many first editions.
Centuries of dust, dirt and the inevitable wear and tear have seriously damaged many of the volumes making them unfit for research and display.
In order to help preserve these books, the Chapel have instigated an 'Adopt-a-Book' scheme. Learn more about the 'Adopt-a-Book' scheme.
Q: Sally Rushton - Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Does The Queen spend certain times of the year, such as Christmas and Easter, at particular residences, or does she spend time at each one as her engagements or personal preference dictate?
The Queen and other members of the Royal Family traditionally spend Christmas at Sandringham House in Norfolk, and make it their official base until February each year.
The Queen spends January and the first week of February (up to her Accession anniversary on 6th February) at Sandringham, which has been the private home of four generations of Sovereigns since 1862.
Every year The Queen takes up official residence in Windsor Castle for a month over Easter (March-April), known as Easter Court. During that time The Queen hosts occasional 'dine and sleep' events for guests, including politicians and public figures.
The Queen is also in residence at Windsor for a week in June, when she attends the service of the Order of the Garter and the Royal Ascot race meeting.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh is The Queen's official residence in Scotland. During The Queen's Holyrood week, which usually runs from the end of June to the beginning of July, Her Majesty carries out a wide range of official engagements in Scotland, based at the Palace.
From August to early October, The Queen stays at Balmoral, which is her private home in Scotland. During this time, she receives visitors (the Prime Minister of the day will stay there for a weekend) and carries out some public engagements such as attending the Braemar Games.
Most of The Queen's London-based work is based at Buckingham Palace, which remains the busy administrative headquarters of the Monarchy and The Queen's main residence.
Q: Louisa Radice - Exeter
Have there ever been any official Royal residences in Wales?
Various castles in Wales have been Royal residences.
Founded in 1283, Caernarfon Castle is the finest of the four great castles which Edward I built after his successful military campaigns in Wales. With its thick walls and massive towers, Caernarfon follows the shape of the long rock upon which it was built. Two towers dominate the sole entrance, the King's Gate, over which there is a statue of Edward II.
Though no longer a Royal residence, Caernarfon Castle still maintains its historic Royal links. Prince Charles was invested there as The Prince of Wales, as was his great uncle before him, later to be Edward VIII in 1936. Queen Victoria went to Caernarfon Castle to present her son, Albert Edward, to the people of the principality of Wales.
Pembroke Castle in south-Western Wales became important from the late 11th century onwards as a key English garrison in the occupation of Wales. It is no longer a Royal residence, however.
Both Caernarfon Castle and Pembroke Castle can be visited today.
Q: Hans Rompel - Germany
I recently saw a picture of the Prince of Wales wearing a black dinner jacket with red collar and red cuffs. Is this dress related to his military ranks or a private tribute to fashion?
This jacket is known as the Windsor Coat, and is worn by male members of the Royal Family and those holding certain appointments in the Royal Household, as approved by The Queen, on occasions at Windsor Castle when evening dress is worn.
Also known as the Windsor Uniform, it is an evening tail coat of dark blue cloth, lapelled, with scarlet collar and cuffs. There are three buttons on each front, two at the back of the waist and two at the end of each tail, and also two on each cuff and one above.
The gilt buttons bear a design of a Garter star within a Garter, surmounted by the imperial crown. It is worn with a white single-breasted waistcoat with three small gilt buttons of the same pattern, and with plain black evening-dress trousers. When the court is in mourning, a black waistcoat and black armband are worn.
George III introduced the Windsor Uniform in 1779 and it was first called by that name in 1781. Sir Owen Morshead, then Librarian at Windsor Castle, wrote in 1935 that George III, in establishing a domestic uniform and in choosing blue and red for his colours was following the lead of Frederick the Great.
There may have been two other explanations for its design: the choice of blue and red because of the King's admiration for Lady Pembroke, for the colours are those of the Pembroke livery; or that the King was copying the uniform of a Berkshire volunteer cavalry regiment of which he was Colonel.
There were originally two forms of the Uniform. The full-dress, with gold braid, did not survive for long and it is the undress form which is worn today. William IV discontinued it, but Queen Victoria revived it and since the reign of King Edward VII the Coat has been worn only as evening dress.
The Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales have dinner-jacket versions which they wear at Windsor and elsewhere.
Q: David - USA
How many Popes has The Queen officially met during her reign?
The Queen has undertaken two State Visits to the Vatican City in Rome during her reign. The first was to visit Pope John XXIII on 5 May 1961 and the second was to visit Pope John Paul II on 17 October 1980.
The Queen was the first Sovereign in English and British history to receive the Pope in Britain - this occurred during Pope John Paul II's visit to Britain in 1982, the first ever Papal visit.
The Queen referred to this historic visit in her statement after the late Pope's death, in which she paid tribute to Pope John Paul's work for Christian unity, including closer ties between the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches.
The Prince of Wales attended the funeral of His Holiness on 8 April 2005.
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