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The King George VI Memorial Chapel, at St. George’s Chapel, will be the final destination of Elizabeth II.
After traveling more than 500 kilometers and receiving the respect of nearly 100 heads of state from around the world and hundreds of thousands of people who waited in line for more than 15 hours, the mortal remains of Queen Elizabeth II will arrive this Monday to your final destination.
This is the King George VI Memorial Chapel at Windsor Castle.
The remains of Elizabeth II’s father, King George VI, as well as her mother, Elizabeth Bowes, already rest in this small space – better known as the Queen Mother– and his sister Margaret. And it is located next to the famous royal chapel of St. George, the place where the largest number of royals are buried in the United Kingdom.
The remains of Prince Philip of Edinburgh, husband of Elizabeth II for more than 73 years and who died in April 2021, will also be transferred to this small enclosure.
Felipe’s remains had been deposited in the so-called royal vault of the San Jorge chapel and will now be relocated to rest with his wife.
The chapel in memory of George VI, which functions as an annex, was built in 1969 by order of Elizabeth II, with the idea that not only the remains of her parents, but also hers and those of Prince Philip once rested there. both died.
The place has a gold engraving with the image of Elizabeth II’s father and, on the floor, a dark plaque with gold letters bearing the names of George VI and the Queen Mother and the corresponding years of birth and death.
But Queen Elizabeth II will not only be surrounded by her family, but also by all the history contained in the place next to her resting place: the royal chapel of Saint George.
tomb of kings
St George’s Chapel, located on the side of Windsor Castle – perhaps the royal residence where Elizabeth II spent the most time – is not simply a place of prayer.
Recognized as a notable example of English Gothic architecture, throughout its structures are the tombs of nine Kings of England, as well as numerous royal representatives.
So much so that it has surpassed the famous Westminster Abbey as the place with the largest number of tombs of members of the British monarchy.
Although Windsor Castle dates from almost the 11th century, the chapel itself was commissioned by Edward IV in 1475 and, eight years later, he became the first monarch to be buried there.
image source, Carl Court
Windsor Castle, one of Elizabeth II’s favorite places, will be the final destination of the sovereign who reigned for 70 years.
Construction work was completed in 1528, when Henry VIII’s plan for the vault of the chapel was finalized.
In fact, Henry VIIIone of the best-known kings in British history, is also buried here.
One of the main sectors of the chapel of San Jorge is the so-called royal vault, which is located below the central nave.
There are the tombs of three kings: George III, George IV and William IV, along with 21 other royals, including Princess Alice, who was the mother of Prince Consort Philip of Edinburgh.
But in other corners of the chapel there are tombs of more monarchs, such as Charles I, who was beheaded during the English Civil War (1642-1651), Henry VI, who inspired one of the most famous works of the English playwright William Shakespeare and George V.
Order of the Garter and many weddings
However, for many experts, the chapel, beyond housing the remains of members of royalty, has historical importance because it is the place where the new members of the Order of the Garter are introduced.
image source, Getty Images
St. George’s Chapel has also served as the setting for royal weddings, such as Harry and Meghan’s in 2018.
This order, to which Queen Elizabeth II belonged and also the current King Charles III, is the most important in the United Kingdom: it is only made up of a small group of people selected precisely by the sovereign in office.
And their meetings and ceremonies -in rituals dating from the Middle Ages- they take place in the chapel of Saint George, whose saint is the patron saint of England and of the order.
And there’s more: as well as being the center of this important honor for the crown, the chapel has become one of the favorite places for royal weddings.
Perhaps the most famous that has been held there was that of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan Markle, in 2018.
There, Edward, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II, also married Sophie Rhys-Jones and, a century earlier, the future Edward VII married Alexandra of Denmark, who would be his queen consort.
This place full of history will be the last destination of Isabel II, following the goodbyes to her 70 years of reign.
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