The Waterloo ceremony is an annual event in which the
Duke of Wellington
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, (1 May 1769 – 14 September 1852) was an Anglo-Irish soldier and Tory statesman who was one of the leading military and political figures of 19th-century Britain, serving twice as prime minister of ...
pays a symbolic rent for his residence to the reigning monarch. The ceremony takes place at
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a royal residence at Windsor in the English county of Berkshire. It is strongly associated with the English and succeeding British royal family, and embodies almost a millennium of architectural history.
The original cast ...
each year on 18 June, which is the anniversary of the
Battle of Waterloo
The Battle of Waterloo was fought on Sunday 18 June 1815, near Waterloo, Belgium, Waterloo (at that time in the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, now in Belgium). A French army under the command of Napoleon was defeated by two of the armie ...
.
Background
Stratfield Saye House
Stratfield Saye House is a large stately home at Stratfield Saye in the north-east of the English county of Hampshire. It has been the home of the Dukes of Wellington since 1817.
Early history
The line of the Roman Road the Devil's Highway (Ro ...
in Hampshire was bought by the people of the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
in 1817 for
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, (1 May 1769 – 14 September 1852) was an Anglo-Irish soldier and Tory statesman who was one of the leading military and political figures of 19th-century Britain, serving twice as prime minister o ...
. It was a gift to him from the nation for winning the Battle of Waterloo and defeating
Napoleon
Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who ...
. Every year, the current Duke of Wellington pays the symbolic rent to the reigning monarch in the form of a flag.
In a similar manner, the current
Duke of Marlborough
General (United Kingdom), General John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, 1st Prince of Mindelheim, 1st Count of Nellenburg, Prince of the Holy Roman Empire, (26 May 1650 – 16 June 1722 Old Style and New Style dates, O.S.) was an Engl ...
presents the monarch with a copy of a French royal banner every year at Windsor Castle in lieu of rent for
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace (pronounced ) is a country house in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England. It is the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough and the only non-royal, non- episcopal country house in England to hold the title of palace. The palace, on ...
.
Blenheim Palace prepares to pay its Royal dues – historic standard of the 'Sun King' is presented annually to the Queen in lieu of rent
/ref> This is done around the anniversary of the Battle of Blenheim
The Battle of Blenheim (german: Zweite Schlacht bei Höchstädt, link=no; french: Bataille de Höchstädt, link=no; nl, Slag bij Blenheim, link=no) fought on , was a major battle of the War of the Spanish Succession. The overwhelming Allied v ...
on 13 August.
The ceremony
A silk French tricolour
The national flag of France (french: link=no, drapeau français) is a tricolour featuring three vertical bands coloured blue ( hoist side), white, and red. It is known to English speakers as the ''Tricolour'' (), although the flag of Ireland ...
, with gold embroidery and imprinted with the year of presentation upon it, is handed to the monarch
This is a list of main and recurring fictional characters from ''The Venture Bros.'', a comic science fiction television series broadcast on Adult Swim.
Overview
Team Venture
Team Venture comprises the central characters in the show; they for ...
by the Duke of Wellington. A new flag is produced each year.
After the monarch is presented with the flag, it is taken by the Castle Superintendent to the Guard Chamber and is placed above a bust of the first Duke of Wellington.
See also
* Quit Rents ceremonies
References
External links
Rent banner
– Royal Collection Trust
*
State ritual and ceremonies
Windsor Castle
June observances
Aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars
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