Celebrate your Investiture at Windsor Guildhall

Celebrate receiving your OBE, MBE or Knighthood with a private event for friends, family or colleagues after your investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Private event hire after ceremonies at Windsor Castle

Roof top view of Windsor Guildhall: Photo Credit Tom Flather

Picture: The Windsor Guildhall in the heart of Royal Windsor less than two minutes walk from Windsor Castle. Photo Credit Tom Flather.

Where royal honours meet royal heritage

Just a few steps away from Windsor Castle in the heart of royal Windsor, Windsor Guildhall offers the perfect setting to celebrate your investiture.  Whether you are looking for a function room in Windsor to host post investiture drinks for up to 100 guests or are looking for private dining options for up to 90 guests, the Windsor Guildhall is the ideal venue to celebrate receiving your OBE, MBE or Knighthood. 

A ‘once-in-a-lifetime' moment deserves a very special venue

Formal dining set up (sprig style) for up to 90 guests. Photo credit Press Play Online

Picture: Formal dining set up (sprig style) for up to 90 guests. Photo credit Press Play Online.

Your investiture at Windsor Castle marks one of the proudest moments of your life. We invite you to continue your celebration in surroundings that honour the significance of your achievement. 

Built between 1687 and 1689, Windsor Guildhall has witnessed over three centuries of history and has a unique royal story to tell. We were the chosen wedding venue of their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla in 2005 and our grand Council Chamber features royal portraits spanning over four centuries, from Elizabeth I to Elizabeth II.

The Chamber is illuminated by stunning brass chandeliers on loan from the Royal Collection Trust on behalf of the current monarch. (Matching chandeliers hang in Windsor Castle)

(Picture: Formal dining set up (sprig style) for up to 90 guests. Photo credit Press Play Online)

Unrivalled proximity to Windsor Castle

Situated in the heart of Windsor on the High Street, Windsor Guildhall is approximately 100 metres from Castle Hill, the main public entrance to Windsor Castle. You and your guests can walk comfortably from your investiture ceremony at the castle to Windsor Guildhall in under two minutes. 

This convenience is invaluable on such a special day, eliminating the need for transport arrangements between venues.

If you prefer, you can choose to have your guests proceed directly to Windsor Guildhall while you attend your ceremony at the Castle.  We can host your guests, serve welcome drinks, and ensure everyone is comfortable while awaiting your arrival, allowing you to make a special entrance to your own celebration.

We are walking distance from some of Windsor’s most popular hotels meaning you and your guests can return to your accommodation easily after your ceremony and celebration. 

Memories to last a lifetime

Windsor Guildhall

Your investiture day is one you’ll be proud to share with friends and family, and photography is encouraged at the Windsor Guildhall. The royal portraits and heritage features of the building provide excellent backdrops for individual photos and group photos with your guests, whatever the weather. 

Outside we also have a sheltered area known as the Corn Market which offers plenty of photo opportunities with Windsor as your backdrop. 

This area can also be converted into a private drinks reception area for a small additional fee. 

There is a small, cobbled street directly behind the Guildhall leading directly to Windsor Castle which provides further photography options for you and your guests.

Should you be looking for a professional photographer to document your day, our suppliers list has local photographers experienced in capturing special occasions at the Guildhall.

View the interactive 360 virtual tour video

This shows all areas including outside on the Corn Market. You can let it play out in slow motion or click left/right/up and down within the image. 

You can see a variety of images and videos from recent ceremonies on our Windsor Guildhall Instagram page.  https://www.instagram.com/windsorguildhall/ 

Entertainment options after your investiture ceremony

Whether you are receiving an OBE, MBE, Knighthood or other honour, we understand that every investiture celebration is unique. 

All bookings include exclusive hire of the Windsor Guildhall so you and your guests will have complete privacy to celebrate your achievement without interruption. Our events team are very experienced at hosting distinguished guests (including members of The Royal Family) and your event will be treated with utmost discretion. 

Hire options include an elegant champagne reception, afternoon tea with close family, or a sumptuous, seated dinner for your guests. We work with a range of talented local suppliers to fulfil the catering elements of your event. 

Our events team will help you create a truly bespoke Investiture celebration.

Example pricing for Investiture celebrations

The following examples are based on midweek events taking place from April 2025- March 2026:

Champagne Reception:

Available at any time of the day including the evening:

  • 1.5 hours hire: £985
  • Prosecco from £22 per bottle, champagne from £38 per bottle and wines from £20 per bottle (plus VAT).

Add canapes or a buffet to your reception:

  • 2 hours hire: £1100
  • Canapes or buffet from £15 per head plus VAT (dependent on supplier)

Afternoon Tea Celebrations

Perfect for early afternoon investitures:

  • Typically 4 hours hire £1320
  • Afternoon tea available from £25 per head plus VAT (dependent on supplier).

Formal Seated Dinners 

  • Typically 6 hours total hire including food preparation: £1981
  • Two or three-course menu options available, guide pricing from £40 per head (dependent on supplier)
  • Drinks reception can be included with Prosecco from £22 per bottle, champagne from £38 per bottle and wines from £20 per bottle (plus VAT).

These examples are intended to be used as a guide to assist with your planning at the initial stages. Our events team will help you select the format that best suits your timings, guest count, and preferences and will provide a fully bespoke quote.

Book Your Investiture celebration today

We strongly recommend booking as soon as you receive your Investiture date. Popular dates, particularly during spring and summer investiture seasons, can book up 3-6 months in advance. 

Contact our events team:

Please note: If we are hosting an event, we will be unable to take your call, please leave a voicemail and a member of the team will come back to you.

Windsor Guildhall: Banquet table (Gill Aspel)

Pictured: Windsor Guildhall: Banquet table and chairs. Photography by Gill Aspel.

Wedding ceremony in the Guildhall

Pictured: Extend your venue hire for posed photographs with your guests. Photography by Carl Glancey.

Parking, transport and accessibility at the Guildhall

Parking and transport at the Guildhall

Parking for one car can be arranged in the area outside the guildhall for the duration of your meeting or ceremony.

Car parking: There are a several pay and display car parks around Windsor which are a short walk away, including River Street, Windsor Dials and Victoria Street.

By train: Windsor Central Station is a four minute walk away (GWR service connects to Slough and Elizabeth line service and mainline trains to London and Reading)

Coach parking: Designated coach parking at Windsor Coach Park near Windsor Central Station. 
 

Accessibility at the Guildhall

The function rooms are on the first floor which is accessed by a stone staircase with a handrail.  
 

A Stannah stair lift with a maximum weight capacity of 19 stone is available for guests with reduced mobility. 
Users should be confident transferring on and off the seat independently or have a companion present who can provide assistance. Please note that for health and safety reasons, Guildhall staff cannot assist with physical transfers or provide weight-bearing support. 
 
If any of your guests have additional access needs and require use of the Stannah chair, please contact us in advance of your booking so we can discuss how best to support this. 
 
We can accommodate a maximum of three stair lift users on the first floor at any one time. If you expect more than three people to need assistance, please contact us as soon as possible to discuss this.