# Waterloo Chamber

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{{Short description|Ballroom in Windsor Castle, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
thumb|Waterloo Chamber in 2009
The '''Waterloo Chamber''', dating from 1830 to 1831, is a large room in [Windsor Castle](/source/Windsor_Castle) dedicated to the military defeat of the French Emperor [Napoleon](/source/Napoleon) Bonaparte by [British](/source/United_Kingdom_of_Great_Britain_and_Ireland), [Prussian](/source/Kingdom_of_Prussia), [Russian](/source/Russian_Empire), and [Austrian](/source/Austrian_Empire) forces and the victory of the [Duke of Wellington](/source/Duke_of_Wellington) at the [Battle of Waterloo](/source/Battle_of_Waterloo).

==Designs==
[[File:WindsorWaterlooChamber2JosephNash edited.jpg|thumb|The Waterloo Chamber in 1844. [Watercolor](/source/Watercolor) by [Joseph Nash](/source/Joseph_Nash)]]
Designed by the [architect](/source/architect) [Jeffry Wyatville](/source/Jeffry_Wyatville) to replace the Queen's Drawing Room, Queen's Ballroom, Queen's Audience Chamber, Queen's Presence Chamber, Queen's Guard Chamber, King's Presence Chamber, King's Audience Room, King's Drawing Chamber, and King's Dining Chamber, which were all in [Hugh May](/source/Hugh_May)'s 17th-century structure, the Waterloo Chamber was formed, along with the Grand Reception Room, White Drawing Room, Green Drawing Room, Crimson Drawing Room, State Dining Room, and Octagonal Dining Room.

==Portraits included in the chamber==
[[File:Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) - Field-Marshal Gebhardt von Blücher (1742-1819) - RCIN 405148 - Royal Collection.jpg|thumb|180px|''[Portrait of Marshal Blücher](/source/Portrait_of_Marshal_Bl%C3%BCcher)'', painted by Lawrence while Blücher was [visiting London in 1814](/source/Allied_sovereigns'_visit_to_England).]]
The portrait painter Sir [Thomas Lawrence](/source/Thomas_Lawrence) was commissioned by King [George IV](/source/George_IV) to paint all the major figures who came together to defeat Napoleon, as well as figures from the restored French monarchy, and today these works still hang assembled there. Lawrence both traveled Europe and at another time kept a studio in London to complete the task, which was delayed by Napoleon's escape from [Elba](/source/Elba).

Among the people depicted in the chamber by Lawrence are Tsar [Alexander I of Russia](/source/Alexander_I_of_Russia), Emperor [Francis I of Austria](/source/Francis_II%2C_Holy_Roman_Emperor), King [Frederick William III of Prussia](/source/Frederick_William_III_of_Prussia), Field Marshal [Karl Philipp, Prince of Schwarzenberg](/source/Karl_Philipp%2C_Prince_of_Schwarzenberg), [Armand-Emmanuel, Duke of Richelieu](/source/Armand-Emmanuel_de_Vignerot_du_Plessis%2C_duc_de_Richelieu), [John, Count Capo D'Istria](/source/John%2C_Count_Capo_D'Istria), [Archduke Charles of Austria](/source/Archduke_Charles_of_Austria), [Napoleon II](/source/Napoleon_II), [Pope Pius VII](/source/Pope_Pius_VII), [Cardinal Consalvi](/source/Cardinal_Consalvi), [Charles X of France](/source/Charles_X_of_France), and the aforementioned Duke of Wellington. Although the majority of portraits in the room are by Lawrence, several of the works added in later years are by other painters, including [William IV](/source/William_IV) of Great Britain (who did not serve in the Napoleonic Wars) by Sir [David Wilkie](/source/David_Wilkie_(artist)) (1832), General Sir [James Kempt](/source/James_Kempt) by Robert McInnes (1835), [Frederick William, Duke of Brunswick](/source/Frederick_William%2C_Duke_of_Brunswick) by William Corden (1848), King [William II of the Netherlands](/source/William_II_of_the_Netherlands), when [Prince of Orange](/source/Prince_of_Orange) by [Nicaise de Keyser](/source/Nicaise_de_Keyser) (1846), and General [Rowland Hill, 1st Viscount Hill](/source/Rowland_Hill%2C_1st_Viscount_Hill) by [Henry William Pickersgill](/source/Henry_William_Pickersgill) (c.1820).<ref>{{cite web| title=The Duke of Wellington Tour: The Waterloo Chamber at Windsor Castle| website=Number One London| date=4 December 2015| url=http://numberonelondon.net/2015/12/the-duke-of-wellington-tour-the-waterloo-chamber-at-windsor-castle/| access-date=2021-05-04}}</ref>

==In the 20th and 21st Centuries==
In 1940, the Lawrence paintings were removed from their frames for safekeeping from [German air raids](/source/The_Blitz) and later temporarily replaced by pantomime works on wallpaper by then-teenage evacuee art student [Claude Whatham](/source/Claude_Whatham). The new works were commissioned by the young Princesses [Elizabeth](/source/Elizabeth_II) and [Margaret](/source/Princess_Margaret%2C_Countess_of_Snowdon) as the background for [their series of pantomimes](/source/Princesses_Elizabeth_and_Margaret's_Christmas_pantomimes). In 1943, Elizabeth and Margaret put on a performance of the fairytale [Aladdin](/source/Aladdin). The future [Prince Philip](/source/Prince_Philip) was in the audience while on leave from the [Royal Navy](/source/Royal_Navy); friends and family who were present later related that this was the first time the royal romance began to take hold. Whatham's pantomime series was once again exhibited at the castle in 2020.<ref>{{cite journal| last=Vanderhoof| first=Erin| title=The Queen's World War II Memories Are the Main Attraction at a Newly Reopened Windsor Castle| url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/07/the-queen-world-war-ii-castle-paintings| access-date=2021-05-04| journal=[Vanity Fair](/source/Vanity_Fair_(magazine))| date=July 2020}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web| date=2008-01-10| title=Obituary: Claude Whatham|url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/jan/10/television.culture| access-date=2021-05-04| newspaper=[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)| location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| last=Smith| first=Sally Bedell| title=Love and Majesty| date=January 2012| url=https://archive.vanityfair.com/article/2012/1/love-and-majesty| access-date=2021-05-04| magazine=Vanity Fair}}</ref>

In 2004, the musical [''Les Misérables''](/source/Les_Mis%C3%A9rables_(musical)) (then currently in production in the [West End](/source/West_End_theatre)) was staged in the chamber, which for the evening was renamed "The Music Room" as part of the state dinner and event marking the end of the celebrations for the one hundredth anniversary of the [Entente Cordiale](/source/Entente_Cordiale) between the United Kingdom and France which significantly improved diplomatic relations between the two neighboring nations. Once again, the Lawrence paintings were temporarily removed from the room for the event attended by Queen Elizabeth II and the French President [Jacques Chirac](/source/Jacques_Chirac), as well as their respective spouses and many other luminaries. The irony of holding such an event on such an occasion in a room dedicated to the victory of the United Kingdom and most of Europe over Napoleon was remarked upon in the press, which led to the chamber's one night name change.<ref>{{cite news| date=2004-11-06| title=Paris surprised by UK plan for Chirac to meet his Waterloo| url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/nov/06/france.ameliagentleman| access-date=2021-05-04| newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal| date=2004-11-15| title=Chirac is spared his own Waterloo| url=https://www.expatica.com/fr/uncategorized/chirac-is-spared-his-own-waterloo-119002/| access-date=2021-05-04| website=Expatica}}</ref>

Each June, the Garter Day luncheon for the [Knights and Ladies Companion of the Garter](/source/Order_of_the_Garter) is held in the chamber.

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:Prince Metternich by Lawrence.jpeg|''[Portrait of Prince Metternich](/source/Portrait_of_Prince_Metternich)'' by [Thomas Lawrence](/source/Thomas_Lawrence), 1815
File:Arthur Wellesley - Lawrence 1814-15.jpg|''[Portrait of the Duke of Wellington](/source/Portrait_of_the_Duke_of_Wellington_(Waterloo_Chamber))'' by [Thomas Lawrence](/source/Thomas_Lawrence), 1815
File:Portrait of Frederick, Duke of York - Lawrence 1816.jpg|''[Portrait of the Duke of York](/source/Portrait_of_Prince_Frederick%2C_Duke_of_York)'' by Lawrence, 1816. York was [Commander in Chief of the British Army](/source/Commander-in-Chief_of_the_Forces) during the Napoleonic Wars.
File:Robert Stewart - Lawrence 1817.jpg|''Lord Castlereagh'' by Thomas Lawrence, 1817. Castlereagh was the British [Foreign Secretary](/source/Foreign_Secretary_(United_Kingdom))
File:Alexander I by Lawrence (1814-18, Royal collection).jpg|''[Portrait of Alexander I of Russia](/source/Portrait_of_Alexander_I_of_Russia)'' by Thomas Lawrence, 1818
File:Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) - Frederick William III, King of Prussia (1770-1840) - RCIN 404944 - Royal Collection.jpg|''[Portrait of Frederick William III of Prussia](/source/Portrait_of_Frederick_William_III_of_Prussia)'' by Thomas Lawrence, 1818
File:Count Nesselrode.jpg|''[Portrait of Count Nesselrode](/source/Portrait_of_Count_Nesselrode)'' by Thomas Lawrence, 1818
File:Armand Emmanuel Duke of Richelieu.jpg|''[Portrait of the Duke of Richelieu](/source/Portrait_of_the_Duke_of_Richelieu)'' by Thomas Lawrence, 1818
File:Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) - Francis I, Emperor of Austria (1768-1835) - RCIN 404943 - Royal Collection.jpg|''[Portrait of Francis I of Austria](/source/Portrait_of_Francis_I_of_Austria)'' by Thomas Lawrence, 1819
File:Sir Thomas Lawrence - Pope Pius VII (1742-1823) - Google Art Project.jpg|''[Portrait of Pope Pius VII](/source/Portrait_of_Pope_Pius_VII_(Lawrence))'' by Thomas Lawrence, 1819
File:Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) - Charles, Archduke of Austria (1771-1847) - RCIN 405140 - Royal Collection.jpg|''[Portrait of Archduke Charles](/source/Portrait_of_Archduke_Charles)'' by Thomas Lawrence, 1819
File:Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) - Charles Philip, Prince Schwarzenberg (1771-1820) - RCIN 405139 - Royal Collection.jpg|''[Portrait of Prince Schwarzenberg](/source/Portrait_of_Prince_Schwarzenberg)'' by Thomas Lawrence, 1819
File:Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) - Robert Banks Jenkinson (1770-1828), 2nd Earl of Liverpool - RCIN 404930 - Royal Collection.jpg|''[Portrait of Lord Liverpool](/source/Portrait_of_Lord_Liverpool)'' by Thomas Lawrence, 1820
File:Leopold I of Belgium 405144.jpg|''[Portrait of Prince Leopold](/source/Portrait_of_Prince_Leopold)'' by Thomas Lawrence, 1821
File:Louis-Antoine, Duke of Angouleme - Lawrence 1825.jpg|''[Portrait of the Duke of Angoulême](/source/Portrait_of_the_Duke_of_Angoul%C3%AAme)'' by Thomas Lawrence, 1825
File:Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) - Charles X (1757-1836), King of France - RCIN 405138 - Royal Collection.jpg|''[Portrait of Charles X](/source/Portrait_of_Charles_X)'' by Thomas Lawrence, 1825
File:KingWilliam IV.jpg|''[Portrait of William IV](/source/Portrait_of_William_IV_(Wilkie))'' by [David Wilkie](/source/David_Wilkie_(artist)), 1832
File:Sir Martin Archer Shee (1769-1850) - Henry Paget (1768-1854), 2nd Earl of Uxbridge and 1st Marquess of Anglesey - RCIN 401453 - Royal Collection.jpg|''[Portrait of the Marquess of Anglesey](/source/Portrait_of_the_Marquess_of_Anglesey)'' by [Martin Archer Shee](/source/Martin_Archer_Shee), 1836
File:Nicaise de Keyser (1813-87) - William II (1792-1849), King of the Netherlands, when Prince of Orange - RCIN 405151 - Royal Collection.jpg|''William, Prince of Orange'' by [Nicaise de Keyser](/source/Nicaise_de_Keyser), 1846
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.royal.uk/waterloo-chamber-windsor-castle The Waterloo Chamber on the official website of the British monarchy]
*[Royal Collection Trust](/source/Royal_Collection_Trust) podcast of a lecture by the [Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures](/source/Surveyor_of_the_Queen's_Pictures), [Desmond Shawe-Taylor](/source/Desmond_Shawe-Taylor), "Sir Thomas Lawrence and the Waterloo Chamber" – [https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/collection/themes/exhibitions/waterloo-at-windsor/windsor-castle/podcast-sir-thomas-lawrence-and-the-waterloo-chamber#/]

{{Thomas Lawrence|state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Waterloo Chamber, The}}
Category:1830 establishments in England
Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1830
Category:Windsor Castle
Category:Jeffry Wyatville buildings
Category:Individual rooms
Category:George IV
Category:Cultural depictions of Napoleon II
Category:Cultural depictions of Charles X of France
Category:Cultural depictions of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Category:Cultural depictions of William IV
Category:Cultural depictions of Frederick, Duke of York and Albany
Category:Cultural depictions of Lord Castlereagh
Category:Thomas Lawrence

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Waterloo Chamber](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterloo_Chamber) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterloo_Chamber?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.