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As Christmas approaches, the Queen’s glorious Windsor Castle stationed in the English countryside is brimming with staff members decorating the castle and preparing for the year’s most awaited holiday, Christmas. On top of the innumerable other decorations, the extravagant Christmas tree has historically been the star of the show in the Castle.
As an annual custom, a towering 20 feet tall Nordmann Fir tree decorated with mirrored and glass ornaments is placed in St.George’s Hall at the castle. Despite the tree growing in the Queen’s courtyard, it was originally cut from Windsor Great Park in Berkshire before it was delivered to the hall.
Each year, the decorations feature a new theme and the Christmas tree takes on a new face, never failing to blow people away with its breathtaking décor. In the past, themes have been based on decorations such as Chinese lanterns, bringing a new dimension to a beloved holiday.
The theme in 2017 revolved around sparkling gold pine cones and stars with the color scheme bringing forth a uniquely elegant appearance. The cherry on top of the cake – or should we say, perch on top of the tree, was the distinctive traditional angel. As if the spectacular Christmas tree wasn't enough, the State Dining Room is beautifully decorated and screams festive spirit. The table is set with exorbitant silver pieces commissioned by King George IV over two centuries ago.
Monarchs have celebrated Christmas in Windsor Castle since the 1100s and the tradition understandably continues to this date in lavish fashion. The holidays are also one of the rare opportunities the royal family spends quality time together as a family. Unfortunately, the Christmas lunch doesn’t help this issue with barely 50 minutes allocated for the entire family to spend together on the year’s most festive day.
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The Greatest Proposal Location of All Time
A proposal of marriage is one of the great moments in life. It’s also something we don’t ever want to do again. It’s a declaration of love that feels so right and so pure, that we’re certain the other person will react positively to it and with the best possible outcome.
So, it’s a bit of an understatement to say that timing and location are everything when it comes to making this one, life-changing request. It’s the start of the two of you making your life together official and it’s the story you’ll remember forever. Romance is everything, here. The Wal-Mart parking lot is not a place for memories that will last a lifetime. Dale Sharp is a landscape photographer and he understood this, as he combined his job and his love for his partner, Karlie Russell.
Dale knew that Karlie was the woman he wanted to be with forever, so he set about planning his proposal. Travel was a big part of the couple’s lifestyle and he thought that on one of their adventures to the Arctic Circle, the aurora borealis - commonly known as the Northern Lights - would provide the perfect, beautiful backdrop.
Unfortunately, his first attempt at planning the big moment had to be abandoned. Karlie accidentally threw away the $4,000 ring he was going to present her as part of a luggage-lightening procedure at the airport!
Two years later, he tried again. On a trip to celebrate their seventh anniversary of being together, Dale maneuvered Karlie into position underneath the gorgeous cosmic light show under the pretense of taking a selfie of them both. He then got down on one knee and popped the question.
The results speak for themselves. It’s such a special moment in their relationship and one that lives forever in a frame on the walls of their home.
