St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, has been the site of many royal weddings, including those of Queen Victoria's children, Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank. While it is not exclusively reserved for royalty, there are specific requirements for getting married there. The chapel is Royal Peculiar, governed by the monarch, and a chapel of the Order of the Garter. This means that only certain groups, such as knights, residents of Windsor Castle, residents of the College of St. George, and members of the Royal Family, can get married there, and even they require permission from the Queen herself.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Date of construction | 1300s-15th century |
Architectural style | Gothic, Perpendicular Gothic |
Capacity | 800 |
Notable weddings | Edward VII and Princess Alexandra of Denmark (1863); Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles (2005); Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones (1999); Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (2018); Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank (2018) |
Requirements to get married there | Must be knights, residents of Windsor Castle, residents of the College of St. George, or members of the Royal Family; must get permission from the Queen |
What You'll Learn
Knights can get married at St. George's Chapel
St. George's Chapel has been the site of numerous royal marriages, especially since the reign of Queen Victoria. Many of her children chose to marry at Windsor, and over a dozen royal weddings have taken place at St. George's Chapel since.
The chapel, with its rich history dating back to the 15th century, is known for its "Perpendicular Gothic" style of architecture. It is Royal Peculiar, meaning it is governed by the monarch, and is also a chapel of the Order of the Garter.
Knighthood is a title given to a male by the Queen for achievements or service to the country. It is the lowest rank of knighthood for a male recipient and is not part of an order of chivalry. The female equivalent is a damehood, which is awarded to females for similar reasons.
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Residents of Windsor Castle can get married there
St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle has been the site of many royal weddings since the reign of Queen Victoria. However, it is not exclusively available for weddings of members of the Royal Family. So, who can get married at St. George's Chapel?
The list of people who can get married at St. George's Chapel includes knights, residents of Windsor Castle, residents of the College of St. George, and members of the Royal Family. Even those who fall into one of these groups require the Queen's permission to marry there. This means that the Queen herself approves all weddings that take place at the chapel.
Windsor Castle has been the official residence of the King and has been home to many monarchs throughout its history. Henry I was the first king to live at the castle, with subsequent monarchs such as Henry II, Henry III, and Edward III making it their favoured residence. Queen Victoria spent the majority of every year at Windsor, and it became the principal palace of the British monarchy during her reign.
So, if you are a resident of Windsor Castle, you can get married at St. George's Chapel with the Queen's permission. However, keep in mind that the chapel is a historic and exclusive venue, and even members of the Royal Family need to seek the Queen's approval to hold their weddings there.
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Members of the Royal Family can get married there
St. George's Chapel, located within the walls of Windsor Castle, has been the site of numerous royal weddings since the reign of Queen Victoria. The chapel, which dates back to the 1300s, has played host to the weddings of many members of the Royal Family.
The first wedding to take place in the chapel was in 1863 between the future King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. Since then, many other royal weddings have taken place at St. George's, including the weddings of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005, Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999, and Princess Anne's son Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly in 2008.
More recently, St. George's Chapel was the chosen venue for the weddings of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018, and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank later that same year. In 2019, Lady Gabriella Windsor, a member of the Queen's extended family, married Thomas Kingston at St. George's, becoming the third royal bride to walk down the aisle at the chapel in less than a year.
While St. George's Chapel is not exclusively available for weddings of members of the Royal Family, there are specific requirements that must be met to be able to marry there. The chapel is Royal Peculiar, meaning it is governed by the monarch and is a chapel of the Order of the Garter. In addition, anyone wishing to marry at the chapel must seek permission from the Queen herself, even if they are a member of the Royal Family.
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Residents of the College of St. George can get married there
Residents of the College of St. George are among those who can get married at St. George's Chapel in Windsor. However, it is important to note that the chapel is not a typical parish church open to anyone. It is a Royal Peculiar, which means it is governed by the monarch and is a chapel of the Order of the Garter. As such, even those with ties to the chapel, such as knights, residents of Windsor Castle, and members of the Royal Family, require the Queen's permission to marry there.
St. George's Chapel has a long history dating back to the 15th century and is known for its Gothic architecture and heraldic displays. It has been the site of numerous royal weddings, especially during the reign of Queen Victoria, when many of her children chose to marry at Windsor. More recently, it has been the wedding venue of choice for several of Queen Elizabeth's grandchildren, including Prince Harry, Prince Edward, and Princess Eugenie.
The chapel's intimate setting, with a capacity of 800 people, makes it a popular choice for those seeking a more low-key royal wedding. The approval of the Queen is required for all weddings at St. George's Chapel, ensuring that even members of the Royal Family, such as Lady Gabriella Windsor, must seek permission.
For residents of the College of St. George considering a wedding at St. George's Chapel, it is important to note that the chapel is typically only open for services on Sundays. However, with the Queen's permission and approval, it can be a stunning and historic venue for a wedding ceremony.
Overall, while St. George's Chapel is not exclusively reserved for the Royal Family, residents of the College of St. George do have the opportunity to get married there with the necessary approvals and permissions in place.
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Anyone who gets permission from the Queen can get married there
St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle has been the site of many royal weddings, including those of Queen Victoria's children, Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones, and more recently, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. While it is not exclusively reserved for royalty, there are specific requirements that must be met to be married there.
The chapel is Royal Peculiar, which means it is governed by the monarch and is a chapel of the Order of the Garter. It is not an average parish church that welcomes anyone. To be married at St. George's Chapel, one must be a knight, a resident of Windsor Castle, a resident of the College of St. George, or a member of the Royal Family. Even those who fall into one of these categories require permission from the Queen herself to marry at the chapel. This means that the Queen approves all weddings that take place there.
So, while it is technically possible for non-royals to get married at St. George's Chapel, it is extremely exclusive and permission must be granted by the Queen. This makes it a very difficult venue to secure for a wedding. Even those with personal ties to the Royal Family, like Lady Gabriella Windsor, a member of the Queen's extended family, had to seek permission. A statement from Kensington Palace regarding the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said, "Her Majesty The Queen has granted permission for the wedding to take place at the Chapel. The Royal Family will pay for the wedding."
Therefore, anyone who gets permission from the Queen can get married at St. George's Chapel, but this permission is not easily obtained, and the venue is mostly reserved for those with close ties to the Royal Family or Windsor Castle.
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Frequently asked questions
The chapel isn't exclusively for members of the Royal Family, but there are some very specific requirements for getting married there. Some of the people who can get married at St. George's Chapel include knights, residents of Windsor Castle, residents of the College of St. George, and members of the Royal Family. Even if you fall into one of these groups, you still need permission from the Queen.
Yes, St. George's Chapel has been the site of numerous royal weddings, especially since the reign of Queen Victoria. Over a dozen royal weddings have taken place there, including those of Queen Victoria's children, and more recently, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018.
St. George's Chapel is nestled within the grounds of Windsor Castle, where the Queen and Prince Philip live for most of the year. The chapel is also considerably smaller than Westminster Abbey, holding about 800 guests compared to 2,000, making it a more intimate setting for weddings.