Henry III (r.1216-1272) built the first chapel here in 1240 while he was in the process of renovating the Staterooms of his grandfather Henry II. This has been the centre of the castle’s religious life ever since. Edward III (r.1327-1377) founded the College of St George here as the spiritual home of his newly created chivalric Order of the Garter in 1348 following his victories in France at the start of the Hundred Years War (1337-1453). This was established to reward those who had fought alongside of him and to foster military pride among his subjects for future campaigns in his foolish quest to claim the French crown.

The War of the Roses (1455-1487) was a time of uncertainty for the English monarchy and between 1475 & 1528 the House of York set about constructing the magnificent St George’s Chapel to reaffirm their ‘divine right’. Work on the Choir commenced under Edward IV (r.1461-1483), who became the first English monarch to be buried here (although the body of his predecessor Henry VI was later moved here), and was finished in 1484 under his brother Richard III (r.1483-1485). Built in the English Perpendicular Gothic style the choir is truly awe-inspiring, with its slender pillars, tall windows, 15th century carved stalls and sumptuous 18th century Sovereign’s Stall all overhung with the colourful banners of the Knights of the Garter.

Henry VII (r.1485-1509), the first of the Tudor kings, added the resplendent fan-vaulted ceiling, the Nave and renovated Henry III’s old chapel before work was finally completed under his son Henry VIII (r.1509-1547) whose burial vault is given pride of place at the centre of the Choir. The Nave is home to the enormous West Window, which at 36 foot high is the third largest in England. Henry VIII also added the new gate into the Lower Ward alongside of which his daughter Mary I (r.1553-1558) constructed lodgings for the Military (Poor) Knights of the Order of the Garter originally hired by Edward III to say his prayers for him at the daily services here.

Charles I (r.1625-1649) was interred in Henry VIII’s magnificent vault following his execution in London, and a number of the Hanoverian Kings are buried here including ‘mad’ King George III (r.1760-1820) and his two sons George IV (r.1820-1830) and William IV (r.1830-1837). Queen Victoria (1837-1901) had George Gilbert Scott convert Henry III’s chapel into a magnificent marble and gold memorial to her late husband Prince Albert, now dominated by Alfred Gilbert magnificent 1892 tomb for Edward VIII’s eldest son.

The House of Windsor continues to use the chapel both for the annual procession of the Order of the Garter re-established by George VI (r.1936-1952) in 1948, and for burials. Edward VIII (r.1901-1910) & Queen Alexandra, George V (r.1910-1936) & Queen Mary, George VI (r.1936-1952) & Queen Elizabeth (The Queen Mother) and their daughter Princess Margaret are all interred here. The Chapels are truly impressive, built on a grand scale and well worth a visit.