St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle

St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle
Name	St George's Chapel
Caption	The chapel from the Horseshoe Cloister
Denomination	Church of England
Previous denomination	Catholic Church
Founded date	1475
Founder	King Edward IV
Dedication	Saint George
Style	Perpendicular Gothic
Heritage designation	Grade I listed building
Diocese	Diocese of Oxford
Dean	David Conner
Canon	Martin Poll, Mark Powell
Organist	Luke Bond

St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. It is a Royal Peculiar under the direct jurisdiction of the monarch and the mother church of the Order of the Garter. Located within the Lower Ward of Windsor Castle in Berkshire, the chapel is celebrated for its soaring Perpendicular Gothic architecture and its profound, centuries-long association with the House of Windsor. As a working church and a site of immense historical significance, it serves as both a spiritual home for the Order of the Garter and the final resting place for numerous English and British monarchs.

History

The site's religious history dates to the early 14th century when King Edward III began construction of a new chapel dedicated to Saint George, but the present structure was initiated in 1475 under King Edward IV. Major construction continued through the reigns of Henry VII and Henry VIII, who finally completed the fan vault in 1528. The chapel survived the English Reformation, becoming a Church of England institution, and was notably the location where King Charles I was buried following his execution after the English Civil War. Significant restoration was undertaken in the 19th century by the architect Sir George Gilbert Scott and later following the 1992 fire at Windsor Castle.

Architecture

The chapel is a premier example of late Perpendicular Gothic architecture in England. Its exterior is distinguished by large traceried windows, buttresses, and pinnacles, while the interior is dominated by the spectacular stone fan vault designed by Henry VIII's master mason, William Vertue. Notable features include the ornate Quire stalls, the magnificent Jesse Window depicting the Tree of Jesse, and the Bray Chantry chapel. The Albert Memorial Chapel, originally built by Henry VII as a royal mausoleum, was lavishly redecorated in the 19th century as a memorial to Prince Albert by Queen Victoria.

Royal connections

As a Royal Peculiar, the chapel has an unparalleled connection to the British monarchy. It has been the setting for numerous royal ceremonies, including the marriage of The Prince of Wales to Princess Alexandra in 1863 and the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle in 2018. It was also the location for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 2002 and the committal service for Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. The Dean of Windsor, who leads the chapel, often serves as a close confidant to the sovereign.

Order of the Garter

St George's Chapel is the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, England's oldest and most senior Order of chivalry, founded by King Edward III in 1348. Each year, the monarch and Knights Companion gather for the colourful Garter Day procession and service. The chapel houses the permanent stalls of each knight and lady, adorned with their elaborate heraldic plates, banners, and crests. The Garter Throne is located in the Quire, and the Garter Star is prominently displayed throughout the building's iconography.

Music and worship

The chapel maintains a renowned tradition of Anglican choral music, led by a professional choir of lay clerks and choristers from St George's School, Windsor Castle. The musical establishment is overseen by the Organist and Master of the Choristers, a position held by notable musicians such as Sir William Henry Harris and Christopher Robinson. Daily services, including Evensong, are sung, and the chapel has a distinguished history of musical composition and recording. The famous Windsor and Eton Choral Society often performs major works with the chapel's musicians.

Burials and memorials

The chapel serves as a royal mausoleum, containing the tombs of ten English and British monarchs, including Edward IV, Henry VIII, Charles I, George III, George IV, William IV, and Edward VII. The Royal Vault beneath the Albert Memorial Chapel was constructed for King George III and holds numerous members of the House of Hanover and House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. A dedicated memorial chapel for King George VI was created, and it now also contains the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh.

Category:Church of England church buildings Category:Grade I listed churches in Berkshire Category:Royal Peculiars Category:Windsor Castle Category:Order of the Garter