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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Beth Ure

How to see the Queen's grave as Windsor Castle reopens to public

Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest in a private burial ceremony in King George VI Memorial Chapel in Windsor following her state funeral on September 19.

Entrance to Windsor Castle and the chapel has been closed to the public since Her Majesty's death, but has reopened today (September 29). Hundreds of members of the public have already queued to see the Queen’s final resting place and see the ledger stone in the George VI memorial chapel which is inscribed with her name.

The fresh stone now contains, in list form, “George VI 1895-1952” and “Elizabeth 1900-2002” followed by a metal Garter Star, and then “Elizabeth II 1926-2022” and “Philip 1921-2021”. All four royals were members of the Order of the Garter, which has St George’s Chapel as its spiritual home.

READ MORE: Queen's cause and time of death confirmed on death certificate

The gravestone is made of hand-carved Belgian black marble and has gold writing on. Wreaths of flowers also surround the Queen's tomb.

The Castle has reopened following the end of the royal period of mourning, with the monarchy and their households returning to official duties at the beginning of the week.

Here's everything you need to know about visiting the grave, including how much it costs and when the chapel is open.

How much does it cost to visit the Queen's grave?

Entrance to the chapel is included with a visitors ticket to Windsor Castle. Tickets for adult tourists (aged over 24) to Windsor Castle cost £26.50 from Sunday to Friday, and £28.50 on Saturday, according to the Royal Collection Trust’s website.

When is the chapel open?

The chapel is open for visitors on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4.15pm. Last entry is at 4pm.

It is closed to visitors on Sundays when services are being held, but worshippers are welcome to attend the sabbath services.

What else is St George's Chapel known for?

St George’s Chapel is located inside the grounds of Windsor Castle in Berkshire, and is the final resting place of many former monarchs, including King George VI, the Queen's father. It has also hosted many occasions for the Royal Family, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, as well as Prince Edward's marriage to Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and the funeral of Prince Philip.

The Queen was laid to rest alongside Prince Philip at a private burial in the King George VI Memorial Chapel. Philip’s remains were moved from the Royal Vault, where his body was kept for 17 months, before being interred with his wife of 73 years in the memorial chapel.

George VI did not have a final resting place decided, so was interred in the Royal Vault in St George’s Chapel when he died in 1952. Elizabeth II wanted a dedicated burial place for him and so 10 years after his passing commissioned for designs to be put forward to create a space where three monarchs and their consorts (spouse) could be buried.

With no more space for another vault within the church, it was decided to add a new chapel. Construction on the King George VI Memorial Chapel was officially completed in 1969, making it the first addition to St George’s Chapel since Tudor times, when Henry VII was on the throne in 1504.

Now, St George's Chapel holds the tombs of 11 sovereigns. St George's is the burial site of King Henry VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour, who are buried in the choir along with the beheaded Charles I. Other members of the royal family are buried at the nearby Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore House.

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