 Edward VIII did not spend much of his reign at Windsor Castle . He continued to spend most of his time at Fort Belvedere in the Great Park , where he had lived whilst Prince of Wales . Edward created a small aerodrome at the castle on Smith 's Lawn , now used as a golf @-@ course . Edward 's reign was short @-@ lived and he broadcast his abdication speech to the British Empire from the castle in December 1936 , adopting the title of Duke of Windsor . His successor , George VI also preferred his own original home , the Royal Lodge in the Great Park , but moved into Windsor Castle with his wife Elizabeth . As king , George revived the annual Garter Service at Windsor , drawing on the accounts of the 17th @-@ century ceremonies recorded by Elias Ashmole , but moving the event to Ascot Week in June . 
