Where Is Queen Elizabeth Buried? A Complete Guide To Her Final Resting Place And How To Visit

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The question of where Queen Elizabeth II is buried continues to be a major point of interest for millions around the world. As of the current date, December 23, 2025, the late monarch’s final resting place is confirmed to be within the historic grounds of Windsor Castle, a location steeped in centuries of royal history. Her burial concluded a period of national mourning and marked the end of the longest reign in British history, placing her alongside her beloved husband and family members in a private, deeply personal ceremony.

The exact site is not Westminster Abbey, where her State Funeral took place, but a smaller, more intimate annex known as the King George VI Memorial Chapel. This specific location was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth II herself decades ago, ensuring her place in the royal line of succession would be maintained even in death. This comprehensive guide details the precise location, the family members interred with her, and how members of the public can pay their respects at this significant royal mausoleum.

Queen Elizabeth II: A Biographical Profile

Queen Elizabeth II, born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, was the Queen of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death on 8 September 2022. Her reign spanned 70 years, making her the longest-reigning British monarch and one of the longest-serving heads of state in world history.

  • Full Name: Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor
  • Born: April 21, 1926, in Mayfair, London, England
  • Died: September 8, 2022, at Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
  • Parents: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
  • Spouse: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (m. 1947; d. 2021)
  • Children: Charles III, Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh
  • Accession: February 6, 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI
  • Coronation: June 2, 1953, at Westminster Abbey
  • Final Resting Place: King George VI Memorial Chapel, St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle

Elizabeth became the heir presumptive at the age of 10 after her uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated, making her father the new King. Throughout her life, she was a symbol of stability and continuity, navigating immense social and political changes across the globe.

The Exact Location: King George VI Memorial Chapel

The final resting place of Queen Elizabeth II is the King George VI Memorial Chapel, an intimate annex situated within the grander structure of St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England.

Following her State Funeral at Westminster Abbey, her coffin was transported to Windsor Castle for a Committal Service. The private burial ceremony, conducted by the Dean of Windsor, took place later that evening on September 19, 2022.

The Memorial Chapel itself was not a pre-existing part of the medieval church. It was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth II in 1962 as a dedicated burial place for her father, King George VI, and was completed in 1969. This decision created a specific, modern space for her family within the centuries-old tradition of royal burials at Windsor.

A Family Vault: Who is Buried with the Queen?

The King George VI Memorial Chapel is a collective resting place for the Queen and four other key members of the modern Royal Family. This arrangement fulfills the Queen’s wish to be interred with her closest relatives, creating a powerful dynastic connection in one location.

The five members of the House of Windsor interred in the chapel are:

  1. Queen Elizabeth II (d. 2022)
  2. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (d. 2021). His coffin was moved from the Royal Vault to be placed beside the Queen's.
  3. King George VI (d. 1952). His remains were moved from the Royal Vault to the Memorial Chapel in 1969.
  4. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (d. 2002).
  5. Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon (d. 2002). Her ashes are interred here.

The tomb is marked by a new black Belgian marble ledger stone, which replaced the previous stone dedicated solely to King George VI and The Queen Mother. The new stone is inscribed with the names of all four monarchs and consorts: GEORGE VI, ELIZABETH, ELIZABETH II, and PHILIP, separated by the Order of the Garter star.

St. George’s Chapel: The Royal Necropolis of Windsor

The King George VI Memorial Chapel is part of the much larger and historically significant St. George’s Chapel. This chapel is a masterpiece of English Gothic architecture and serves as the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, founded by King Edward III in 1348.

St. George’s Chapel ranks second only to Westminster Abbey in terms of its importance as a royal mausoleum. It has been the site of numerous royal ceremonies, including weddings, baptisms, and funerals, and is the final resting place for many sovereigns, extending the tradition of royal burials at Windsor for centuries.

Other Notable Royal Burials at St. George’s Chapel

The chapel complex is a veritable who’s who of British monarchy. The Queen's final resting place is one of over a dozen royal tombs within the walls of the chapel and its associated vaults. The sheer weight of history here adds to the significance of Queen Elizabeth II's tomb.

Notable monarchs interred in the main chapel or the Royal Vault include:

  • Henry VIII (d. 1547) and his third wife, Jane Seymour.
  • Charles I (d. 1649).
  • Edward IV (d. 1483), who rebuilt the chapel in the late 15th century.
  • George V (d. 1936) and Queen Mary.
  • Edward VII (d. 1910) and Queen Alexandra.
  • George III (d. 1820) and his wife, Queen Charlotte, who are in the Royal Vault.

The Royal Vault, a separate underground chamber beneath the Quire, holds the remains of many other members of the Royal Family, including Prince Philip’s body initially, before his transfer to the Memorial Chapel.

How to Visit Queen Elizabeth II’s Grave

A key question for those wishing to pay their respects is whether the Queen's grave is accessible to the public. The answer is yes, members of the public can visit the King George VI Memorial Chapel, but only as part of a general visit to Windsor Castle.

St. George’s Chapel and the Memorial Chapel are open to visitors on specific days throughout the year, typically when the castle is open. However, it is essential to check the official Windsor Castle website for the most current opening times, as the chapel closes to visitors on Sundays for private worship and occasionally for special royal events.

To see the Queen's grave, visitors must purchase a ticket for entry to Windsor Castle. The price of admission, which is approximately £26.50 for an adult as of the last available public information, includes access to the State Apartments and St. George’s Chapel. The Memorial Chapel is a small, quiet space where visitors are encouraged to reflect and observe respectful silence. The new ledger stone is clearly visible, marking the resting place of the four monarchs and consorts.

The ability to visit the Queen’s final resting place offers a unique connection to British history and the legacy of one of the world's most enduring figures. The grave’s location at Windsor, a beloved royal residence, ensures that the memory of Queen Elizabeth II remains in the heart of the monarchy’s tradition.

where is queen elizabeth buried
where is queen elizabeth buried

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