A History of Royal Burials and Funerals

Edward the Confessor was buried in 1066 in the new Abbey church he had built and many monarchs have their tombs around his Shrine. Henry III, Edward III and his queen Philippa of Hainault and Richard II and Anne of Bohemia have fine effigies on their tombs. Edward I has a large plain tomb chest but his queen Eleanor of Castile has a gilt bronze effigy. Henry V is buried under his chantry on the east side of St Edward the Confessor’s chapel and his queen Katherine de Valois lies in the chapel above. Henry’s coffin was drawn on a hearse along the nave of the church by four horses as far as the quire entrance.

When St Edward’s chapel was full, monarchs began to be buried in the Lady Chapel which Henry VII built for his own burial. He has a magnificent tomb, as does Elizabeth I. Her coffin was placed on top of that of Mary I in the vault beneath.

After 1760 the next funeral of a monarch or consort did not take place until 1925 when the coffin of Queen Alexandra, widow of King Edward VII, lay in state in the lantern near the steps to the High Altar before burial at Windsor.

The funeral service of Diana, Princess of Wales took place here in 1997, and by her own wish she was buried at her family home at Althorp.

Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, who died in 2002, widow of King George VI, had close connections with the Abbey so requested that her funeral be held here. Again, she was buried with her husband at Windsor.

Queen Elizabeth II also requested that her funeral should be held at the Abbey as she was married and crowned in the church. Her State funeral took place on 19th September 2022 and she was buried at St George's Chapel Windsor with her parents, husband and sister.