If, like me, you get a thrill from tracking down long-dead monarchs, St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle is pure gold. The place is a royal necropolis, a treasure house of tombs and relics.
The star attraction for Tudorphiles is Henry VIII, buried here with his third wife, Jane Seymour, and their son, Edward VI. You’ll also find Edward IV and Henry VI, the rival kings of York and Lancaster whose feud defined the Wars of the Roses.
And looming in spirit is Edward III. His massive six foot battle sword hangs in the south quire aisle like a ghostly reminder of medieval power.
Please Note: Sadly, cameras aren’t allowed inside St. George’s Chapel, which feels a little cruel when you’re surrounded by kings, queens, and centuries of drama. So what you’ll see here are some exterior photos, public domain images, and royal portraits.
Quick Visiting Tips
Need To Know
- Open Mon–Sat, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (closed Sundays to visitors).
- Admission included with Windsor Castle ticket or if you book a guided day trip from London.
- No photography inside. Shop sells books & postcards.
- Evensong daily at 5:15 pm, free to attend.
Things To See
- Edward IV’s elaborate tomb in the north quire aisle.
- Henry VI’s tomb in the south quire aisle.
- Edward III’s battle sword hanging in the south quire aisle.
- Henry VII’s black marble tomb on the quire floor.
- Tombs of George VI, Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and Queen Elizabeth II (with Prince Philip).
Mini History
St. George’s Chapel is the beating heart of the College of St. George, which founded in 1348 by Edward III.
Obsessed with tales of King Arthur and the Round Table, Edward launched the Order of the Garter as his own band of chivalric superheroes.
Windsor Castle became their spiritual HQ, with the chapel as their stage.
Inside the quire, the insignia of knights line the Garter Stalls. New members are still installed each June in ceremonies full of medieval pomp during Ascot Week.
The chapel has always been a “royal peculiar.” It’s run not by the Church of England but by the monarch’s own clergy. They report straight to the crown.
The building you see today began in 1475, when Edward IV decided he needed a mausoleum fit for a Yorkist king. He put Richard Beauchamp, Bishop of Salisbury, in charge, but miscalculated his timeline.
Edward died suddenly in 1483, at age 41, before his chapel was finished. The Wars of the Roses flared again, halting progress until Henry VIII finally completed it.
The result is one of England’s greatest examples of Perpendicular Gothic. It’s a soaring, stone-carved testament to royal power, chivalry, and the long shadow of dynastic rivalry.
What To See At St. Georges Chapel
Facade
The chapel may look like a Tudor fantasy, but don’t be fooled. Those gargoyles, grotesques, and odd little beasties crawling along the facade aren’t medieval originals. They’re later reproductions inspired by ancient designs.
The wall is lined with a stone roll call of kings: Henry III, Edward III, Henry VI, Edward IV, Henry VII, Henry VIII, Charles I, and George III.
And then there’s Bishop Beauchamp, immortalized mid–humblebrag. He holds up a model of the chapel like a medieval architect showing off his blueprints.
For something genuinely original, check the lower wall of the third bay from the west. There you’ll spot Edward IV’s personal badge. It’s a crucifix framed by a rose and sun rays, one of the few authentic carvings that survived the centuries.
Interior
Inside, the chapel tells its story in original stone and glass.
Coats of arms and emblems of Edward IV, Henry VII, and Henry VIII appear everywhere. They’re carved into walls, glowing in stained glass, painted on the ceiling bosses. Many are still in their original brilliant colors.
Chapels & Tombs
Down the south nave aisle lies the Beaufort Chantry. It was founded in 1506 by Charles Somerset, a descendant of John of Gaunt and loyal Lancastrian. His tomb effigy rests here beside his wife Elizabeth.
Across the nave is the Urswick Chapel, named for Dean Urswick. He helped engineer the marriage of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. This was the union that ended the Wars of the Roses.
Nearby stands the Rutland Chapel, founded by Sir Thomas St. Leger and his wife Anne, sister to both Edward IV and Richard III. In the north quire aisle, stone bosses depict Edward the Confessor, St. George, and Edward IV.
The Hastings Chapel holds William, Lord Hastings. He was famously executed by Richard III in the Tower after a fateful council meeting. He’s buried here, and presumably reunited with his head.
Close by is the tomb of Edward IV and the woman he married for love, Elizabeth Woodville.
Their original alabaster monument was destroyed during the Civil War, and later their remains were disturbed when the aisle was repaved. The pair were reburied beneath a plain black marble slab that marks the spot today.
Behind them rises Edward IV’s chantry. It was built so priests could pray for his soul. A true Henry VIII prototype, Edward clearly anticipated a long stint in purgatory and needed all the help he could muster.
Later, Henry VIII repurposed the chantry as a private gallery so Katherine of Aragon could watch the Order of the Garter ceremonies.
Quire
In the middle of the quire floor lies the tomb of Henry VII. Surprisingly, however, for such a historical figure, you won’t find a grand monument.
It didn’t even have a marker until the mid-19th century! And why Charles ended up down there with Henry is anyone’s guess. He was a Stuart who lost his head, not a Tudor.
Henry planned a monument dripping in grandeur, using marble and bronze pilfered from Cardinal Wolsey’s unfinished tomb.
But when Henry died, the project stalled, and no one ever bothered to complete it.
The stalls of the quire are a riot of color and pageantry, bristling with the banners, crests, and helms of the Order of the Garter. When he was installed, Prince William became the thousandth member.
West Window
As you leave the quire, look straight ahead to admire the West Window. It’s believed to be the third largest stained glass window in England. The glass dates to the 15th century and includes portraits of Edward III, Edward IV, and Henry VII.
Next comes the Chapel of Oliver King, a canon of Windsor. The opposite wall is decorated with royal portraits.
Look closely at Henry VII’s son, the boy king Edward VI. His crown floats above his head in the image. It’s a subtle reminder that he was never crowned in person.
Sword of Edward III
Then hold your breath, because you’ll come face-to-face with the fearsome sword of Edward III. Over six feet long, historians believe it was actually used in battle. It’s hard to imagine how anyone had the strength to lift, let alone swing, such an unwieldy weapon.
As you continue down the south quire aisle, look for a plate from the stall of a Knight of the Garter. This one belonged to Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk.
True to family tradition, he was executed for treason in 1572. His honors were ripped from the quire and thrown into a ditch as punishment. Somehow the plate survived, and in 1955 it was returned to the chapel.
Henry VI Tomb
Across from that chapel lies the tomb of Henry VI, the hapless Lancastrian king deposed by Edward IV and murdered in the Tower of London.
Originally buried at Chertsey Abbey, Henry’s grave drew early Lancastrian pilgrims from the start. In 1481, miracles were suddenly reported there. And in 1484, perhaps as an act of atonement, Richard III had Henry’s body moved to Windsor.
Near the exit stands a striking 13th century monument to Edward the Confessor. It’s adorned with original ironwork similar to that at his shrine in Westminster Abbey.
As you step outside, you enter the Dean’s Cloister. You’ll find a wall painting of Edward the Confessor, a counting room paved with gorgeous 14th century tiles, and a porch of honor once used as the ceremonial entrance.
Albert Memorial Chapel
Before you leave, step into the Albert Memorial Chapel. It was once the medieval Lady Chapel. But Queen Victoria completely transformed it into a shrine for her beloved Prince Albert.
It’s an explosion of Victorian Gothic Revival: marble, mosaics, gilded angels, and intricate carving everywhere you look. Alongside Albert’s memorial, you’ll also find monuments to other royals, including George V of Hanover and Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence.
And finally, Queen Elizabeth II. The late Queen now rests in the King George VI Chapel beside her parents and sister.
Prince Philip’s body was moved from the Royal Vault to lie at her side. A simple ledger stone marks the spot, and visitors can view her grave when the chapel is open.
Practical Visiting Information for St. George’s Chapel
Hours: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Saturday.
However, visitors are typically allowed only on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (and sometimes on Tuesdays in summer). On Sundays, the chapel is closed to visitors, but it is open for worship services.
Admission: Your Windsor Castle ticket will get you into the chapel. It’s free to enter during services
Hours of Worship:
- Sunday: 8:30 communion, 10:45 am mattins with sermon, 12:00 pm eucharist, 5:15 pm evensong
- Monday -Saturday: 8:00 am holy communion, 5:15 pm evensong
Tombs:
You won’t be able to go into the Royal Vault beneath the quire. It’s sealed and closed to the public. This is where Henry VIII, Jane Seymour, Edward VI, and Charles I are buried.
What you can see are the marked tombs in the aisles, such as Edward IV and Henry VI, and the ledger stone in the King George VI Chapel where Elizabeth II now rests.
Photography:
Visitors are not permitted to take photos or video inside St. George’s Chapel. You can photograph the castle grounds and exteriors. But the chapel interior is off-limits, both to protect its artworks and to preserve its role as an active place of worship.
Pro Tips:
St. George’s Chapel has a gift shop area near the exit in the Bray Chantry. That’s where you’ll find postcards, guidebooks, and souvenirs.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to St. George’s Chapel. You may find these other UK Tavel guides useful:
- 10 days in England itinerary
- One week County Kent itinerary
- 5 Day Itinerary for London
- Prettiest villages in England
- Hidden Gems in London
- Tourist Traps To Avoid in London
- Best Castles in England
- Best Museums in London
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