Newsgallery
Windsor Castle Fire 20th Anniversary
A nation stunned: A copy of the Daily Mirror front page from 21 November 1992.1 of 22 Outbreak: The fire started in the Queen's Private Chapel at 11.33am on 20 November when a spotlight ignited a curtain. (Image: Rex)2 of 22 Ravaged: The sheer ferocity of the flames engulfing Windsor Castle shocked onlookers. (Image: Rex)3 of 22 Emergency response: As many as 35 fire engines attended the scene and worked through the night to save the castle, which had been a royal home and fortress for over 900 years. (Image: Getty)4 of 22 All hands on deck: More than 200 firemen from London, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Oxfordshire and Berkshire forces tackled the blaze. (Image: Rex)5 of 22 Like wildfire: Extra reinforcements were called in as the blaze spread to St George's Hall, the largest of the state apartments. (Image: Rex)6 of 22 Fighting back: Some 225 firefighters using a total of 39 appliances worked through the night to eventually bring the flames under control. (Image: Rex)7 of 22 Ornate splendour: St George's Hall was a magnificent venue for entertaining guests before the fire. (Image: Rex)8 of 22 Charred wreckage: St George's Hall was completely gutted by the intensity of the inferno. (Image: Rex)9 of 22 Surveying the damage: The Queen observes the remains of her beloved sometime home with an aide. (Image: Rex)10 of 22 Search for answers: Experts said the false roof above St George's Hall and the space beneath the floors had allowed the fire to spread. (Image: Rex)11 of 22 Reasons to be thankful: Although the damage was widespread, nobody involved suffered any serious injuries. (Image: Rex)12 of 22 The clean-up: Salvage work begins on the castle, which would eventually take five years to renovate and restore. (Image: Getty)13 of 22 Counting the cost: Initial estimates put the damage at £60m, but the eventually cost was well below that figure. (Image: Getty)14 of 22 No expense spared: Highly- skilled craftsmen were employed to renew the fabric of the castle, as 70 per cent of the cost of the renovations was funded by charging the public £3 for entry to the castle precincts and £8 to Buckingham Palace. (Image: Rex)15 of 22 Returning home: Final fitting out of the castle, which was originally planned for spring 1998, occurred on 17 November 1997. Twenty months later it played host to the wedding of Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones. (Image: Rex)16 of 22 The artist within: The restored castle incorporated specially commissioned works, such as this stained glass window designed by Prince Phillip himself. (Image: Rex)17 of 22 Royal tribute: Prince Philip's design honoured the firefighters bravely fought to save the castle. (Image: Rex)18 of 22 Crafting the future: The people who worked to conserve the interiors and works of art in the castle were also recognised in the stained glass windows. (Image: Rex)19 of 22 A job well done: After five years the restoration was complete with the final cost of renovations put at £36.5m, almost £25m under budget. (Image: Rex)20 of 22 From the ashes: The grandeur of the state rooms and apartments was returned in order that the Queen could continue to welcome overseas monarchs and presidents. (Image: Rex)21 of 22 A future preserved: Although almost completely destroyed, St George's Hall was restored to its former glory. The traditional State Banquet is held in the hall, with a table seating up to 160 guests. (Image: Rex)22 of 22