What is the Royal Vault in St George’s Chapel?
THE ROYAL VAULT is one of the chambers that sees monarchs rest in peace among other places such as Winchester and Glastonbury.
The Queen will be put to rest alongside the love of her life, Prince Philip in the King George VI Memorial Chapel after she is lowered into the Royal Vault.
This comes after she sadly passed away on Thursday, September 8, 2022, with her family surrounding her.
What is the Royal Vault in St George's Chapel?
The Royal Vault is a burial chamber located beneath St George's Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
The vault was constructed between 1804 and 1810 under the instruction of King George III.
The vault has been where many senior members of the Royal Family are laid to rest since the 15th century, preferred over Westminster Abbey.
Traditionally at royal funerals, the coffin is lowered into the vault through an opening in the floor of St George's Chapel, before the it is buried in specific wings.
Who is buried in the Royal Vault?
Since its inception in the early 19th century, many kings, queens and other members of the Royal Family have been interred in the vault.
The first royal placed in the vault was Princess Amelia, the youngest daughter of King George III.
Before Prince Philip's interment on April 17, 2021, his mother Princess Alice, was interred in the vault in 1969.
However, her tomb was transferred to Jerusalem in 1988.
Burial in the Royal Vault has become less frequent in recent times due to a lack of space in the chamber, and now the Queen has died, Prince Philip will be moved to be buried with her in the King George VI Memorial Chapel.
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 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)
- Still-born 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 Frederick 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, placed in vault 1930)
- Princess Augusta, Duchess of Cambridge, grandmother of Queen Mary (d.1889, placed in vault 1930)
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Will Queen Elizabeth II be buried with Prince Philip in the Royal Vault?
Queen Elizabeth II, who died aged 96, will be buried within the King George VI memorial chapel, where she will join King George VI, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and her sister Princess Margaret.
Following his death in 2021 at the age of 99, Prince Philip was interred in the Royal Vault, but his body will be moved and placed next to his wife of 73 years.
What is the King George VI memorial chapel?
This chapel is located on the ground of Windsor Castle.
It was built by King Henry VIII in 1511 and holds ceremonial events such as royal weddings and burials.
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Among those that wedded at 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 it is governed by the monarch.