ROYAL CHAPEL OF ALL SAINTS

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth rested in the Royal Chapel of All Saints, Windsor Great Park until Tuesday 2nd April, when it was taken to the Queen's Chapel at St. James's Palace.

This small private chapel stands in the grounds of Royal Lodge, Windsor Great Park. It was originally the site of a porter's lodge but was converted in 1825 for George IV by his architect Jeffry Wyatville. The chapel was regularly used by George IV and his Household, who spent much time at Royal Lodge in the late 1820s.

The structure was in the Gothic style and was connected to Royal Lodge a hundred yards away by a covered walk. After George IV's death, William IV allowed the chapel to remain in use for the families of those who lived and worked in Windsor Great Park.

Queen Victoria occasionally attended services there until the early 1860s, when she had it substantially rebuilt to designs by S. S. Teulon and Anthony Salvin. This included a new chancel and the east window made in memory of her mother, the Duchess of Kent.

The renewed chapel was consecrated in September 1863 and a service of rededication was conducted by the Bishop of Oxford in 1867. There is a stone above the west door commemorating the occasion.

The chapel, although small, is a typical example of Victorian Gothic architecture. It continued to be used by residents of the Great Park, including Queen Victoria's third daughter Princess Helena and her husband Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, Ranger of the Park, who lived at nearby Cumberland Lodge from 1873 until his death in 1917 and hers in 1923.

When the Duke and Duchess of York (the future King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) came to live at Royal Lodge from 1931, they became regular worshippers at the chapel.

After becoming King in 1936, George VI had various alterations made. Sir Edward Maufe designed a new ceiling for the chancel and royal pew, new choir stalls and a casing for the new organ.

Today The Queen and other members of the Royal Family regularly attend services at the chapel; those who live and work in the Great Park may also attend.

The first chaplain was appointed to the Chapel by Queen Victoria in 1852. Since 1981 the chaplain has also been a Canon of St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. He resides in Chaplain's Lodge in the Great Park.