College of St George
St George’s Chapel
The Duke of Edinburgh
1921 – 2021
Condolence books
For the latest information and announcements from Buckingham Palace, and to send an online message of condolence, visit the Royal Family website at www.royal.uk.
Media enquiries
For press accreditation please see www.royal.uk.
Consultations at St George’s House
If you are due to attend a consultation at St George’s House in the near future please telephone 01753 848848 or visit www.stgeorgeshouse.org.
Contacting St George’s School
If you need to contact St George’s School please telephone 01753 865553 or see www.stgwindsor.org.
St George’s Chapel
St George’s Chapel sits within the walls of Windsor Castle. The Chapel was begun by King Edward IV in 1475 and finished just over 50 years later by King Henry VIII.
St George’s Chapel is the home of the Order of the Garter. This Order of Chivalry was founded by King Edward III in 1348. The banners of the current Knights and Ladies of the Order hang above their seats in the Quire, the eastern part of St George’s Chapel. Prince Philip and the then Princess Elizabeth, were installed as members of the Order by King George VI in 1948.
The Duke of Edinburgh and the College of St George
The Duke of Edinburgh was closely involved with the life of St George’s. His Royal Highness attended Mattins at the Chapel on Easter Day and an annual service of thanksgiving on Garter Day most years. There were many other occasions when Prince Philip came to St George’s. For instance, in 2014, apart from Easter Day and Garter Day, The Queen & The Duke of Edinburgh attended a gathering in the Chapel to mark the 150th anniversary of the Royal College of Organists. During 2015 Her Majesty and His Royal Highness attended a Royal Victorian Order Service in April in addition to Services on Easter Day and Garter Day. In 2015 The Duke of Edinburgh attended a service for The Rifles, together with The Duke of Gloucester, in St George’s Chapel. In 2016 The Duke of Edinburgh was present when The Queen distributed Royal Maundy in St George’s Chapel. The Duke of Edinburgh also attended both Royal Weddings in 2018.
In 1966 The Duke of Edinburgh and the then Dean of Windsor, Robin Woods, set up St George’s House, a consultation centre within the Castle walls just to the north of St George’s Chapel. St George’s House is part of the College of St George. The College of St George is at its heart a community of people who live and work together to offer worship to God, prayers for the Sovereign and the Order of the Garter, service to society and hospitality to visitors. The College was founded in 1348 in the same year as the Order of the Garter and now consists of St George’s House, St George’s School, the Military Knights of Windsor, the Chapter Library & Archives as well as, at the centre, St George’s Chapel. The buildings owned and occupied by the College of St George take up a quarter of Windsor Castle together with the school buildings outside the north wall. Following its setting up, Prince Philip continued to play a leading part in life of St George’s House as a member of the Council, by attendance at an annual lecture and by continued and frequent interest in its work.