St George's Chapel, within the precincts of Windsor Castle, is one of the most beautiful ecclesiastical buildings in England. The building was started by Edward IV in 1475 and took fifty years to construct. It is the Chapel of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Britain's highest order of chivalry founded by Edward III in 1348. Members are selected by The Sovereign and include foreign monarchs and previous Prime Ministers. Ten monarchs are buried in the Chapel including Edward IV himself, Henry VIII with his favourite wife Jane Seymour, Charles I, George V and Queen Mary and George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Beyond St George's Chapel is the entrance to the Albert Memorial Chapel, converted by Queen Victoria as a memorial to her husband Prince Albert who died in 1861.
Please note the following provisional closure dates during 2008:
7th-18th January 2008: State Apartments closed (however Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, the Drawings Gallery and the Precincts will be open to the public). 21st March 2008: Admission to the Castle Precincts and St George’s Chapel for services only – ALL OTHER AREAS CLOSED. 22nd March 2008: St George’s Chapel closed until 11am. 23rd March 2008: CASTLE CLOSED AM (admissions from 1pm). 24th-28th March 2008: State Apartments closed. 26th March 2008: CASTLE CLOSED. 20th April 2008: CASTLE CLOSED PM (last admissions at 12 noon). 22nd-24th April 2008: State Apartments closed. 23rd April 2008: CASTLE CLOSED. 3rd May 2008: St George’s Chapel closed from 1pm. 17th May 2008: CASTLE CLOSED. 30th May 2008: St George’s Chapel closed from 1pm. 13th-16th June 2008: St George’s Chapel closed. 14th-17th June 2008: State Apartments closed. 16th June 2008: CASTLE CLOSED. 23rd December 2008: St George’s Chapel closed from 1pm (other than to worshippers attending services). 24th December 2008: St George’s Chapel closed (other than to worshippers attending services). 25th-26th December 2008: CASTLE CLOSED (St George’s Chapel open to worshippers).