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St Georges Chapel

Architectural & Historical Significance

  • Perpendicular Gothic Masterpiece: Built between 1475 and 1511, the chapel is a stunning example of late-medieval English Gothic, with soaring fan vaults and intricate stonework that would’ve made even Pugin nod in approval.
  • Royal Peculiar: It’s not under a bishop’s authority but directly under the monarch’s, a rare status known as a Royal Peculiar.
  • Order of the Garter: This is the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, the oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry in Britain, founded by Edward III in 1348.

Royal Connections

  • Royal Tombs: Ten monarchs are buried here, including Henry VIII (alongside Jane Seymour), Charles I, and more recently, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
  • Royal Weddings: It’s hosted several royal weddings, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018, and Princess Eugenie later that same year.
  • Baptisms & Traditions: Prince Harry was also baptised here, and the Royal Family traditionally attends Easter Sunday service at the chapel.

Living Heritage

  • Daily Worship: Despite its grandeur, it remains a working chapel with daily services. The public can attend Evensong, often accompanied by the chapel’s renowned choir.
  • Choristers: The choirboys are educated at St George’s School within the castle grounds, a tradition that dates back centuries.

Symbolism & Detail

  • Heraldic Marvel: The chapel is rich in heraldry, from the Garter stalls to the banners and crests of living Knights of the Garter, it’s a visual feast of lineage and honour.
  • The Queen’s Beasts: The pinnacles are adorned with heraldic beasts representing royal ancestry, a detail added in the 20th century that echoes medieval symbolism.

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