THE Royal Family will say their final goodbye to Prince Philip when his funeral takes place at Windsor Castle this weekend.
The Duke of Edinburgh will then be laid to rest in the Royal Vault under St George’s Chapel in Windsor. Here is everything you need to know.
Read our Prince Philip funeral live blog for the latest updates
What is the Royal Vault in St George’s Chapel?
The Royal Vault is a burial chamber located beneath St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
The vault was constructed between 1804 and 1810 on the instruction of King George III, and since then, senior members of the Royal Family have been placed in the vault after their passing.
Traditionally at Royal funerals, 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?
Since its inception in the early 19th century, the tombs of many Kings, Queens and other members of the Royal Family have been interred in the vault.
The first Royal placed in the vault was Princess Amelia, the youngest daughter of King George III.
The most recent burial in the vault was Princess Andrew, the mother of Prince Philip, in 1969. However, her tomb was transferred to Jerusalem in 1988.
Burial in the Royal Vault has become less frequent in recent times due to a lack of space in the chamber.
Here is the full list of Royals resting in the Royal Vault:
- 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)
Will Queen Elizabeth II be buried with Prince Philip in the Royal Vault?
After his funeral takes place Prince Philip will be placed in the Royal Vault, but this will not be his final resting place.
When the Queen dies, the Duke of Edinburgh will be transferred to the King George VI memorial chapel to be placed alongside his wife.
The chapel is home to the Queen’s father King George VI, her mother the Queen Mother, and sister Princess Margaret.
