Queen Elizabeth will host investiture ceremonies at Windsor Castle for the first time.
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The royal has decided to switch the events from Buckingham Palace, her official London residence, to her castle in Berkshire to make room for Prince Charles’ 60th birthday celebrations next month.
A royal source said: “This is a trial. A lot of work has gone into preparing for the Windsor investitures. There is no reason why, if they are successful, we will not hold more of them there next year. All the work has been done.
“It’s the queen people want to see, more than castle or palace.”
The first Windsor-based investiture – a lengthy ceremony during which people receive honours – is due to be held next month, with a second in December.
If they prove successful, more will be held at Windsor Castle next year. It is hoped moving the investitures to Windsor Castle will allow the queen to spend more time at her favourite home.
The events are gruelling and often require the 82-year-old monarch to stand without a break for several hours.
The queen has already delegated a number of the 22 London-based annual investitures to her children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne.
Investitures are also held in Edinburgh, Scotland, and Cardiff, Wales, each year. The queen completed her first investiture in 1952.
