King's and Queen's Scouts joining instructions

Windsor is easily accessible on public transport and the Castle is within easy walking distance of Windsor & Eton Central railway station. ///chain.feels.lights.

You should plan to arrive to Victoria Barracks no later than 9:30am on the day. Please ensure that you are not dropped off outside the Barracks as this will cause congestion.

The address is: Victoria St, Sheet St, Windsor SL4 1HF. ///cool.gains.fantastic. If you are driving, read more about the local parking options.

Windsor is a popular tourist destination and there is lots of accommodation in the local area, Visit Windsor have provided this helpful website with information about local accommodation.

A number of cost-effective accommodation options are also available in Slough which is local to Windsor.

Your local (Group, Unit or Network) scarf should be worn with a woggle (no friendship knots), and be ironed and rolled carefully. We’ll also accept a navy-blue tie. You should only wear a UK Scarf if you hold a UK role.

There’ll be a lot of walking and standing throughout the day on hills, cobbled paths, gravel, and grass, so we advise you to wear smart and sensible footwear.

This should be the official Explorer Scout, Scout Network/Adult leader shirt or blouse (or alternative for Air and Sea Scouts) and should be ironed! 

A long sleeve shirt is recommended as it can get cold in the Quadrangle. Depending on the weather forecast we’d also suggest wearing a thermal layer/warm t-shirt under your shirt. You should avoid putting bulky items in the pocket. 

Smart navy trousers and knee-length skirts are preferable to navy activity trousers. Tartan or saffron kilts and pleated tartan or saffron skirts are also acceptable, in line with POR. 

Only the official Scout belt, Explorer belt or Young Leader belt can be worn but with no attachments.

With trousers – black or dark blue socks should be worn. 

With skirts – plain, nude tights should be worn. 

With tartan kilts – plain lovat green knee length socks and green garter tabs. 

With saffron kilts – plain knee length socks of a traditional colour (e.g. green, fawn or white).

May be worn with the relevant uniform, and long hair should be worn up.

The wellbeing of members must take precedence over formality of dress POR 10.3.1.2

Please come dressed in a uniform shirt or polo that's comfortable for your stage of pregnancy, and navy trousers/skirt. Please avoid wearing jeans, if possible.

We encourage Queen’s and King’s Scout Award holders to wear the uniform that meets their religious or cultural beliefs. This includes long shirts and skirts as well as hijabs, turbans, and kippahs.

In the morning there will be a lot of waiting around outside Victoria Barracks, so please come dressed appropriately for the weather.

Coats, hoodies, bags etc are not part of the uniform and can’t be taken on the parade. If it is wet, we will provide you with a waterproof poncho. 

Once you leave Victoria Barracks for lunch, you will not be returning, so you'll need to take everything with you. There is limited storage at the Royal Mews for during the Parade itself, but we find it’s easier for most people to leave all bags, coats and other items with friends or family who have come with you.   

View the Explorer Scout uniform diagram in full screen

View the Scout Network uniform diagram in full screen

Left breast pocket

• World Membership Badge only.

Right breast

• Queen’s/King's Scout Award/Chief Scout’s Award.
• Scout Decorations & Awards.
• The Queen’s Guide Award badge may be worn by female Members and is positioned above the Queen’s Scout Award.

Left arm

• Duke of Edinburgh Award Cloth Badge (1 only).
• Junior and Senior Proficiency Badges of the St. John's & St Andrew's Ambulance Associations.
• The British Red Cross Society Junior First Aid and Public Service Arm Badges.
• In cloth, the badge of the Royal Life Saving Society.
• The Life Saving Medals of the Order of St. John and the Royal Humane Society, together with their ribbons.

Above left breast pocket

• The ribbons of Queen’s Medals and Decorations.
• The ribbons of decorations conferred by Foreign Government.
• N. & R.A.F. Recognition Badges.
• Scout Wings.
• Air Scout Identification Badge.
• Special Events, Camps, Gatherings, Group Anniversary Badges – must not be worn after a period of three months from the time of conclusion of the occasion.

Other badge notes

The Group Awards may be worn below the Group Name Tape on the Right Arm.  Members of a Scout Group, which is recognised by the RAF or RN, wear the appropriate Recognition Badge.

Metal or plastic pin badges are not to be worn, except the Queen’s Guide Award which is worn above the cloth Queen’s scout Award.

Your guests are part of your day at Windsor too. Before the Review they will have time to explore the historic town of Windsor. Visit Windsor has lots of helpful information of the local area and things to do and see.

A Scouts run information point will be available in the morning outside the Henry VIII gate ///bless.leader.hits for any questions your guests may have.

To enter the castle, your guests will enter through the Admissions Centre ///paused.healers.rank, where their barcodes will be checked for entry.

Your guests should aim to enter the castle between 12:45pm-1:30pm

Please stick to this timing as there will be multiple queues. Our friendly Day of Celebration and Achievement team will be around to help with queueing for entry.

We will have a team of Scouts with wheelchairs to help transport guests from the admissions centre to the Quadrangle entrance. When your guests arrive in the Quadrangle, they can collect any chairs they've pre-ordered during event registration. 

9:00am - 9:30am Queen’s and King’s Scouts should arrive at Victoria Barracks for their rehearsal

9:00am - 12:00pm Guests of Queen’s Scouts and King’s Scouts explore Windsor.

12:00pm- 12:45pm: Queen’s Scouts and King’s Scouts break for lunch. This is an opportunity to meet their guests for lunch. King's and Queen's Scouts are due back at the Pug Yard Learning Centre to form the parade at 12:45pm.

12:45pm - 1:30pm: Guests of Queen’s Scouts and King’s Scouts enter the Quadrangle for the Review.

1:30pm - 2:45pm: Parade and Review takes place in the Quadrangle

2:45pm - 4:15pm: Queen’s and King’s Scouts attend the National Scout Service and are dismissed at 4:15pm. Guests are invited to make their way from the Quadrangle to the Lower ward area, where they can listen to the service from outside the chapel. The castle will also open their cafe and gift shops for guests during this time.

Either print your barcode, or have your barcode ready on your phone or other device for scanning.

Weather is ever changing in April, and you and your guests should be prepared for the weather on the day. The day will continue in all weathers and if it’s wet, we’ll provide you with a waterproof poncho to keep you dry.

You should ensure that your uniform is clean, ironed and ready to wear. Your scarf should be rolled with a woggle and the correct badges sewn onto your uniform.

You’ll need photo identification to get into Victoria Barracks ///cool.gains.fantastic.

Water Bottle and Weather-appropriate clothing are encouraged for the rehearsal at Victoria Barracks.

You should limit your personal items, leaving non-essential items with your guests. There will be a small cloakroom at the Pug Yard for Queens Scouts and Kings Scouts. Please note this is not secure, and all items are left at your own risk.

You won’t be able to carry any personal belongings during the Parade, including mobile phones.

Please remember, no weapons of any kind are permitted in Windsor Castle, including penknives.

You should plan to arrive to Victoria Barracks no later than 9:30am on the day. Please ensure that you are not dropped off outside the Barracks as this will cause congestion.

The address is: Victoria St, Sheet St, Windsor SL4 1HF ///cool.gains.fantastic. If you are driving, read more about the local parking options.

The Monarch has given us permission to use St George’s Chapel for the service. The Chapel is a uniquely historical place that’s over 900 years old. This is a Royal Chapel, so the service is framed in Christian tradition. We adapt, where possible, to include other and no faiths.

Photography is strictly prohibited inside the Chapel.

There’s no seating for your guests in the Quadrangle, unless pre-booked during registration. If you’re not sure whether they have a seat and you’d like to check, please contact the team at [email protected].

We're encouraging all Queen’s Scouts and King's Scouts to attend the celebratory day at Windsor, and we'll work with those who have additional needs to make sure that they can experience the event.

Our Inclusion Lead works with our Queen's and King's Scout Award holders to make sure they're able to attend. You will have informed us of any additional requirements when you registered, if your circumstances have changed, please email [email protected].

On the day, our Inclusion Lead will brief your Section Leader and make sure the support you need is in place.

Toilet facilities inside the Castle are limited, so please inform us if this is a concern by emailing [email protected].