Windsor Castle reveals details of Waterloo at Windsor: 1815-2015 for Waterloo200

This article originally appeared on Culture24.

Windsor Castle is lining up to be one of the key locations during the Waterloo bicentenary in 2015

The Royal Collection Trust has revealed how Windsor Castle will mark the bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo in 2015, with an exhibition trail and a new multimedia tour through the State Apartments.

Unique artefacts associated with Waterloo, including items that belonged to the defeated Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte, together with trophies from the battlefield and documents from the Royal Archives will greet visitors to the Royal Palace during the centenary year.

The centrepiece of the visit to the palace has always been the magnificent Waterloo Chamber, commissioned by George, Prince Regent (the future George IV) as a lasting monument to the battle at the heart of Windsor Castle.

Throughout 2015, the route will be extended allowing visitors to walk into and around the room, rather than viewing it from either end.

Measuring nearly 30 by 14.5 metres, the opulent room was created for the sole purpose of displaying portraits of the statesmen, politicians, diplomats and military leaders who were responsible for the overthrow of Napoleon.

Among them is that of the Prince Regent who, despite never seeing active service, regarded himself as a key player in the eventual victory.

In celebration of of nearly a quarter of a century of Napoleonic warfare and Napoleon's abdication in April 1814, he invited several of the allied leaders and commanders to London and commissioned Britain's pre-eminent portraitist, Sir Thomas Lawrence, to paint them.

In the event he was premature. Napoleon escaped his exile on the Italian island of Elba, and in the 100 days that followed overthrew the newly-restored French king, gathered his troops and met the leader of the allied army, the Duke of Wellington, 13 kilometres south of Brussels at Waterloo.

After Napoleon's final defeat, the regent’s portraitist travelled to the Congress of Peace at Aix-la-Chapelle, then to Vienna and finally to Rome to complete the series.

Yet despite the Regent’s enthusiasm, the Waterloo Chamber remained an unfinished project at his death and was completed by his successor, William IV, who wanted it to be more a commemoration of the battle than a celebration of the diplomacy that saw peace brought Europe.

A further nine portraits were added to the Waterloo Chamber's 'hall of fame' by William IV and in Queen Victoria's reign, bringing the total to 38.

But Lawrence’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington has always dominated.

Portrayed beneath a triumphal arch, he holds aloft the sword of state symbolising the sovereign’s authority. Beside him rests a baton and letter signed George PR, signifying his promotion to Field Marshal and the gratitude of the Crown.

Wellington is flanked by portraits of Count Platov, commander of the Cossack cavalry, and Field Marshal Blücher, the 72-year-old head of the Prussian forces who was nicknamed 'Marshal Forwards' because of his eagerness in battle.

Elsewhere, in the accompanying exhibition and trail, visitors can expect to find an array of Waterloo related booty such as Napoleon's cloak, taken from his fleeing carriage in the aftermath of the battle and later presented to George IV by Blücher.

Made of red felt and lined with yellow silk brocade, it is appliquéd with Napoleon's Imperial Eagle in silver thread. It will be shown with other items removed from the Emperor's baggage train, including Napoleon's silver-gilt porringer - a small bowl used for food.

Another treasure is The Table des Grands Capitaines (Table of the Great Commanders, 1806–12), which was commissioned by Napoleon from the Sèvres factory. After Napoleon's final defeat, it was presented to George IV by the restored French king, Louis XVIII, in gratitude for the allied victory.

Prints and drawings - of everything from devastated buildings and the burial of casualties to the celebration of victory and Bonaparte caricatures by Thomas Rowlandson - will accompany the displays.

The displays and trail will be open from January 31 2015 through to January 2016.

• Keep up to speed with the Waterloo bicentenary at Waterloo200.co.uk

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More on the Waterloo bi-centenary:

National Portrait Gallery targets "fuller picture" of Duke of Wellington on Waterloo anniversary

Largest Napoleonic re-enactment ever staged planned for bicentenary of Battle of Waterloo

Major new website to be launched for Battle of Waterloo bicentenary in 2015

Waterloo 200: Six key artefacts from the Battle of Waterloo

Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk//history-and-heritage/military-history/pre-20th-century-conflict/art505223-windsor-castle-reveals-details-of-waterloo-at-windsor-1815-2015-for-Waterloo-200