24-07-23, 21:17
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#177
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re: ROYALS: Crumbling Malta Home Which Queen & Prince Philip Loved
Security Plans at Windsor Castle Reveal Kings’ Secret Staircase to Outside World
Security plans at Windsor Castle marked confidential have revealed the Sovereign’s private staircase leading onto the south terrace
BBC NEWS 24 JULY 2023
Security plans for Windsor Castle have revealed a maze of hidden areas and passageways – including a private staircase linking the King’s quarters to the outside world.
The declassified maps showing underground chambers and tunnels were used for a wide-ranging security upgrade in the 1960s and have been newly released at The National Archives.
Marked ‘confidential’, the drawings show a discreet staircase tucked away to the rear of the Sovereign’s entrance in the south-east corner of King Charles III’s residence in Berkshire.
Interconnected subways, bricked-up areas and chambers are also shown in the bird’s eye plans of the castle, which dates back to the 11th Century.
A large wine cellar is also shown at basement level.
The maps were used for the security review which included an upgrade to the alarm system
The plans also show various features designed to keep out intruders, such as a control room and an alarm bell.
Declassified Windsor Castle Plan
Plans marked confidential show the layout of Windsor Castle with the coloured dots representing security features
The map of Windsor Castle used for a security review to guard against intruders and thefts
In 2011, the first ever publicly broadcast footage inside a secret escape tunnel at the castle followed Fiona Bruce walking through the passageway.
The BBC presenter showed viewers a trap door concealed under a carpet in an office.
She said: ‘This is an office just tucked away in a corner of Windsor Castle.
‘But look under here. As if by magic, just lift these and the medieval castle emerges.’
Declassified Windsor Castle Plan
The Sovereign’s private stairs can be seen in the south-east corner of the map with a red dot marking a detection point
Walking down the stone steps, Bruce provided insights into the rich history of the working palace and private home, which spans 484,000 square feet of space.
Founded by William the Conqueror and originally used as a fortress, the castle has many layers of intrigue and history, some of which are open to visitors.
Bruce said: ‘If you’re a soldier in Windsor Castle under siege you need a way to get out. And this is the secret passage.
‘This is exactly what it looked like in the 1200s.
‘It’s wide enough to accommodate a whole army of men. You can just imagine them rushing down the stairs, and it leads out onto the street.
‘This is the clever bit – they’d then be able to sneak up on the enemy and attack them from behind.’
Fiona Bruce in secret Windsor Castle tunnels
Fiona Bruce in the tunnel at Windsor Castle intended as a secret escape route from the landmark
It’s not clear if the tunnel is the same as the private staircase shown in the newly-released plans, which were originally drawn up in 1935 by HM Office of Works before being used to map out the security upgrade.
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