What is the Royal Vault in St George’s Chapel?

THE ROYAL VAULT is one of the burial chambers where monarchs rest in peace among other places like Winchester and Glastonbury.

The Queen will be buried alongside the love of her life, Prince Philip, as she is lowered into the Royal Vault after her sad passing on Thursday 8 September 2022.

What is the Royal Vault in St George’s Chapel?

The Royal Vault is a burial chamber located below St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

The vault was built between 1804 and 1810 under the orders of King George III. built.

The vault has been the preferred burial place for many high-ranking members of the royal family since the 15th century, in preference to Westminster Abbey.

Traditionally, at royal funerals, the coffin is lowered into the vault through an opening in the floor of St. George’s Chapel.

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Who is Buried in the Royal Vault?

Since its inception in the early 19th century, the tombs of many kings, queens and other members of the royal family have been buried in the vault.

The first royal to be placed in the vault was Princess Amelia, the youngest daughter of King George III.

Prior to Prince Philip’s funeral on April 17, 2021, his mother Princess Alice was buried in the crypt in 1969.

However, her tomb was moved to Jerusalem in 1988.

Burial in the royal tomb has recently become less frequent due to lack of space in the chamber.

Here is the full list of royals resting in the Royal Vault:

• Princess Amelia, daughter of George III (d. 1810)
• Princess Augusta, Duchess of Brunswick, sister of George III. (d. 1813)
• Stillborn son of Princess Charlotte (d. 1817)
• Princess Charlotte (daughter of George IV) (d. 1817)
• Queen Charlotte, wife of George III (d. 1818)
• Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, father of Queen Victoria (d. 1820)
• King George III (d. 1820)
• Prince Alfred, son of George III (d. 1782, placed in the vault 1820)
• Prince Octavius, son of George III. (d. 1783, placed in vault 1820)
• Princess Elizabeth, daughter of William IV (d. 1821)
• Prince Frederick, Duke of York (d. 1827)
• King George IV (d. 1830)
• Stillborn daughter of Prince Ernest Augustus, son of George III (d. 1818)
• King William IV (d. 1837)
• Princess Sophia, daughter of George III (d. 1840)
• Queen Adelaide, wife of William IV (d. 1849)
• Prince Friedrich of Schleswig-Holstein, son of Princess Christian (d. 1876)
• King George V of Hanover (d. 1878)
• Victoria von Pawel Rammingen, daughter of Princess Frederica of Hanover (d. 1881)
• Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck, mother of Queen Mary (d. 1897)
• Prince Francis, Duke of Teck, father of Queen Mary (d. 1900)
• Princess Frederika of Hanover (d. 1926)
• Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, grandfather of Queen Mary (d. 1850, vaulted 1930)
• Princess Augusta, Duchess of Cambridge, grandmother of Queen Mary (d. 1889, vaulted 1930)

Will Queen Elizabeth II be buried with Prince Philip in the Royal Vault?

Queen Elizabeth II, who died aged 96, will be buried in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, where she will stand alongside King George VI, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and her sister Princess Margaret.

After his death in 2021 at the age of 99, Prince Philip was buried in the Royal Vault but his body will be moved and placed next to his 73-year-old wife.

What is the King George VI Memorial Chapel?

This chapel is in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Built by King Henry VIII in 1511, it holds ceremonial events such as royal weddings and funerals.

Among those who married in the chapel were King Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018, and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in 2019.

It can accommodate up to 800 guests and is ruled by the monarch.