Located in the Lower Ward of Windsor Castle, St. George's Chapel is the primary venue for weddings. Built in the late-medieval Perpendicular Gothic style, it seats roughly 800 guests and has hosted dozens of royal weddings since the Victorian era.
A history of weddings at Windsor Castle
For centuries, Windsor Castle has served as an iconic symbol of the British monarchy and a backdrop for some of history's most notable nuptials. From medieval ceremonies to modern celebrations, royal weddings at Windsor Castle span over 800 years of royal heritage. Centred around St. George's Chapel, weddings at Windsor Castle offer a more intimate yet historic alternative to London’s larger cathedrals.
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Royal wedding venues at Windsor Castle
St. George's Chapel
The Private Chapel
Situated within the private apartments of Windsor Castle, this small chapel provides an intimate setting for family prayer services, small blessings, and smaller private weddings at Windsor Castle.
St. George’s Hall & the Waterloo Chamber
Located within the State Apartments, grand rooms like St. George’s Hall host formal daytime receptions, cake-cutting ceremonies, and toasts following St George's Chapel royal weddings.
Frogmore House & Grounds
Set within the surrounding Home Park, Frogmore House and its private gardens serve as the premier venue for private evening receptions for high-profile Windsor Castle royal weddings.
Famous royal weddings at Windsor Castle
King Henry I and Adeliza of Louvain (1121)
The earliest recorded royal marriage at the castle took place in 1121, when King Henry I married Adeliza of Louvain in the sovereign's quarters, long before the construction of St. George's Chapel.
King Edward VII and Princess Alexandra of Denmark (1863)
One of the most famous Victorian royal weddings at St George's Chapel, the future King Edward VII married Princess Alexandra of Denmark while Queen Victoria observed from the Catherine of Aragon closet.
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and Sophie Rhys-Jones (1999)
Prince Edward broke with modern London-centric traditions by choosing Windsor for his nuptials, reigniting global interest in contemporary weddings at St George's Chapel.
King Charles III and Camilla Parker Bowles (2005)
Following their civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall, King Charles III and Camilla held a formal Service of Prayer and Dedication at St. George's Chapel, followed by a reception in the castle.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan Markle (2018)
One of the most widely watched royal weddings at Windsor Castle in history, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married in St. George's Chapel before taking a carriage procession through the town of Windsor.
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank (2018)
Continuing the tradition of Windsor Castle weddings, Princess Eugenie married Jack Brooksbank in an autumn ceremony attended by extended royal family members and international guests.
Access to Windsor Castle wedding venues
Guided tours and visitor experience
Visitors purchasing standard admission tickets to Windsor Castle can tour St. George's Chapel on non-service days to see where these weddings take place. Access to Frogmore House remains limited to select charity open days throughout the year.
Rules and eligibility
Can members of the public host weddings at Windsor Castle? Ceremonies at St. George's Chapel are strictly reserved for members of the Royal Family, Knights of the Garter, and residents or members of the College of St. George.
Frequently asked questions about Windsor Castle weddings
Notable royals who held St George's Chapel royal weddings include King Edward VII, Prince Edward, Prince Harry, Princess Eugenie, Peter Phillips, and Lady Gabriella Windsor.
No, Windsor Castle and St. George's Chapel are not available as commercial venue rentals for non-royal or public weddings.
Under UK marriage laws, for a building to host commercial civil weddings, it must be open to the general public for room bookings. To protect royal security and privacy, Windsor Castle is not registered as a commercial venue.
With a seating capacity of around 800, St. George's Chapel offers a grand yet considerably more intimate setting than Westminster Abbey or St. Paul's Cathedral.
Receptions for Windsor Castle royal weddings are typically split into a daytime reception in the State Apartments (such as St. George's Hall) and a private evening party at Frogmore House.
Over 16 major royal weddings have been celebrated at Windsor Castle, primarily within St. George's Chapel and the Private Chapel over the last 150 years.
While non-royals cannot enter the castle grounds for private photo shoots, couples marrying at nearby venues like the Windsor Guildhall or Castle Hotel frequently use Castle Hill and the surrounding public areas for pictures with the castle as a backdrop.
Permission to use St. George's Chapel for a royal wedding must be granted by the reigning monarch, as the chapel is a Royal Peculiar directly under the jurisdiction of the Crown.
Yes, St. George's Chapel is open to castle visitors Monday through Saturday (excluding Sundays when it is reserved for worship), allowing guests to walk through the chapel where royal weddings take place.
