What is the Royal Vault and who is buried there?
Following Prince Philip’s funeral, the Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin was interred in the Royal Vault.
Here, his body will rest until Queen Elizabeth II dies, when he will be moved to the King George VI memorial chapel to be with his wife of 73 years forever.
What is the Royal Vault, where is it and how many Royals are buried there?
What is the Royal Vault?
The Royal Vault is a burial chamber located on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
The vault is beneath St George’s Chapel, which has been the chosen burial place for Royals since the 15th century, superseding Westminster Abbey.
The Royal Vault was constructed between 1804 and 1810 under orders of King George III.
Traditionally at Royal funerals – as was the case for Prince Philip’s funeral – the coffin is lowered into the vault through an opening in the floor of St George’s Chapel.
Who is buried in the Royal Vault?
Prince Philip might be temporarily occupying a spot in the vault – moving when the Queen dies so they can be laid to eternal rest together – but he’s far from the only Royal there.
There are 25 Royal Family members buried in St George’s Chapel’s Royal Vault.
The first Royal placed in the vault was Princess Amelia, the youngest daughter of King George III.
The last person buried there was Princess Alice, the mother of Prince Philip, in 1969. Her tomb was later transferred to Jerusalem, however.
The Royals still buried at the Royal Vault are:
- Princess Amelia, daughter of George III (d.1810)
- Princess Augusta, Duchess of Brunswick, sister of George III (d.1813)
- Stillborn son of Princess Charlotte (d. 1817)
- Princess Charlotte (daughter of George IV) (d.1817)
- Queen Charlotte, wife of George III (d.1818)
- Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, father of Queen Victoria (d.1820)
- King George III (d.1820)
- Prince Alfred, son of George III (d.1782, placed in vault 1820)
- Prince Octavius, son of George III (d.1783, placed in vault 1820)
- Princess Elizabeth, daughter of William IV (d.1821)
- Prince Frederick, Duke of York (d.1827)
- King George IV (d.1830)
- Still-born daughter of Prince Ernest Augustus, son of George III (d.1818)
- King William IV (d.1837)
- Princess Sophia, daughter of George III (d.1840)
- Queen Adelaide, wife of William IV (d.1849)
- Prince Frederick of Schleswig-Holstein, son of Princess Christian (d.1876)
- King George V of Hanover (d.1878)
- Victoria von Pawel Rammingen, daughter of Princess Frederica of Hanover (d.1881)
- Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck, mother of Queen Mary (d.1897)
- Prince Francis, Duke of Teck, father of Queen Mary (d.1900)
- Princess Frederika of Hanover (d.1926)
- Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, grandfather of Queen Mary (d.1850, placed in vault 1930)
- Princess Augusta, Duchess of Cambridge, grandmother of Queen Mary (d.1889, placed in vault 1930)
MORE : Unseen school pictures of Prince Philip sailing released before funeral
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Prince Philip funeral: Key details
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh passed away on Friday April 9, just two months shy of his 100th birthday.
Today, the Duke was interred in the Royal Vault at St George’s Chapel - where he will remain until his wife of 73 years dies, whereupon they will be buried together.
Only 30 mourners were present at the funeral due to current Covid-19 restrictions - with the Queen having to sit alone.
Although well-wishers were urged to not line the streets of Windsor, they could watch the ceremony on TV.
Another way to pay your respects to the late Duke is to sign the official online book of condolence.
Here are the key details: