A Royal Affair: Weddings At St. George's Chapel

St. George's Chapel, located in the grounds of Windsor Castle, has been the setting for many royal weddings. The gothic-style chapel, founded in the 14th century, has hosted the weddings of Queen Victoria's children, Queen Elizabeth's youngest son, and, more recently, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. While you don't have to be a royal to get married at St. George's, there is a limited list of people who can wed there, including knights, residents of Windsor Castle, and residents of the College of St. George.

Who can marry at St George's Chapel?

St. George's Chapel, located on the grounds of Windsor Castle, has been the site of many royal weddings. However, it is not exclusively reserved for royalty. While you don't have to be a royal to get married at St. George's Chapel, there is a limited list of people who can wed there. The chapel is a Royal Peculiar, which means it's governed by the monarch, and a chapel of the Order of the Garter. Therefore, those who can marry at St. George's Chapel include knights, residents of Windsor Castle, and residents of the College of St. George, in addition to members of the royal family.

The chapel has been the setting for numerous royal marriages, especially during the reign of Queen Victoria. Many of her children chose to marry at Windsor, with the weddings taking place in St. George's Chapel. For example, Queen Victoria's eldest son, the future King Edward VII, married Princess Alexandra of Denmark in the quire of St. George's Chapel in 1863. Other royal weddings at St. George's Chapel include those of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018, Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999, and Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly in 2008.

The chapel offers a more intimate setting compared to larger venues like Westminster Abbey, accommodating up to 800 guests. It boasts Gothic-style architecture, intricate stained glasswork, tall arched windows, intricate woodwork, and ironwork doorframes. The tombs of ten sovereigns, including Henry VIII and Charles I, are also located within the chapel.

In summary, while St. George's Chapel is a popular choice for royal weddings, it is also open to knights, residents of Windsor Castle, and residents of the College of St. George. The chapel's rich history, architectural grandeur, and connection to the royal family make it a sought-after wedding venue for those who are eligible to marry there.

What is the capacity of St George's Chapel?

St George's Chapel, formally titled The King's Free Chapel of the College of St George, is located in the Lower Ward of Windsor Castle. It was founded in the 14th century by King Edward III and enlarged in the late 15th century. The chapel has been the site of numerous royal services, weddings, and burials.

The chapel's capacity is around 800 people, which is significantly smaller than that of Westminster Abbey, which can hold 2,000 or more. This more intimate setting has made St George's Chapel a popular choice for smaller-scale royal weddings. Over a dozen royal weddings have taken place at the chapel, including the weddings of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones, and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank.

The chapel is considered a Royal Peculiar, meaning it is governed by the monarch and is not a typical parish church. As such, those wishing to wed at St George's Chapel must meet certain requirements and obtain permission from the Queen herself.

What is the history of St George's Chapel?

St George's Chapel, formally titled The King's Free Chapel of the College of St George, is a castle chapel built in the late-medieval Perpendicular Gothic style. It was founded in the 14th century by King Edward III and extensively enlarged in the late 15th century. The chapel has been the scene of many royal services, weddings and burials.

In 1348, King Edward III founded two religious colleges: St Stephen's at Westminster and St George's at Windsor. The new college at Windsor was attached to the Chapel of St Edward the Confessor, which had been constructed by Henry III in the early 13th century. The chapel was then re-dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, George the Martyr and Edward the Confessor, but soon became known only by its dedication to St George.

The rededication of the chapel to include the soldier saint George is perhaps due to Edward III's political ambitions in France and his admiration for knightly virtues. He also associated a group of knights with the college, the Order of the Garter. There were 25 Knights of the Garter, with the king as their head, mirroring the number of the Dean, canons and vicars of the college.

The period 1475–1528 saw a radical redevelopment of St George's Chapel set in motion by Edward IV and continued by Henry VII under the supervision of his counsellor, Sir Reginald Bray, and by Henry VIII. The chapel was enlarged into a cathedral-like space under the direction of Richard Beauchamp, Bishop of Salisbury, and the master mason, Henry Janyns.

The chapel suffered a great deal of destruction during the English Civil War. Parliamentary forces broke into and plundered the chapel and treasury in 1642, and further pillaging occurred in 1643 when the 15th-century chapter house was destroyed, and lead was stripped from the chapel roofs.

During his reign, King George III was responsible for reigniting royal interest in Windsor Castle, which had been overlooked after the House of Hanover came to the throne of Great Britain in 1714. On 12 August 1776, the royal family first attended the Sunday morning service at St George's Chapel, and George III funded an extensive restoration of the chapel from 1780 to 1790.

The chapel has been the site of many royal weddings, particularly of the children of Queen Victoria. Over a dozen royal weddings have taken place at St. George's Chapel, including those of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, and Queen Elizabeth's youngest son, Prince Edward, and Sophie Rhys-Jones.

What is the architecture of St George's Chapel?

St. George's Chapel is a late-medieval Perpendicular Gothic-style castle chapel. It is considered one of the finest examples of the Perpendicular style of Gothic architecture in England. The chapel was built in two stages, with the choir and its aisles completed and roofed by 1483, and the nave by 1496. However, the stone vaulting was not finished until 1528. The building was completed during the reign of Edward IV's grandson, Henry VIII, in 1528.

The chapel features a gothic-style stone roof, supported by pillars. The ceiling displays the arms of several important figures, including Edward the Confessor, Edward III, Edward the Black Prince, Henry VI, Edward IV, Henry VII, and Henry VIII. Above the choir stalls hang the insignia of the Knights of the Garter—their swords, helmets, and banners. The heraldic stall plates are affixed to the backs of the stalls, forming a notable assemblage of heraldry from medieval times.

The large west window, with its late 15th-century stained glass, and the painted roof bosses are among the other remarkable features of the chapel. On the roof of the chapel and its sides are seventy-six heraldic statues representing the Royal Beasts. These statues represent fourteen heraldic animals, including the lion of England, the red dragon of Wales, and the panther of Jane Seymour.

The chapel has been the site of many royal weddings, burials, and services. It is considered a Royal Peculiar, meaning it is under the direct jurisdiction of the monarch, and it is the Chapel of the Order of the Garter.

How do I get to St George's Chapel?

St George's Chapel is located in the north side of the Lower Ward of Windsor Castle. The chapel is open to the general public and can be visited as part of a trip to Windsor Castle.

You can book your trip to Windsor Castle on the Royal Collection Trust website. A visit to St George's Chapel is included in the price of the Windsor Castle Admission ticket. However, it is a working palace, so it can be subject to full or partial closure. Be sure to check the 'opening times' tab on the Royal Collection's website for any provisional closure dates that apply to St George's Chapel.

On Sundays, the Chapel is closed to visitors, but worshippers are welcome to attend the service. At least three services take place in the chapel every day, and worshippers can go to any of them.

If you want to visit by car, Windsor is just off the M4, M3, M25 and M40 motorways. There are several car parks in the town centre, and on-street parking is also available.

If you are travelling by train, Windsor has two train stations: Windsor & Eton Central and Windsor & Eton Riverside. Both stations are approximately a 15-minute walk from the Castle.

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