Now at rest with Tudors and Stuarts: Prince Philip joins 24 other Royals in the vault under St George's Chapel before he moves to a side chapel with the Queen when she dies

Prince Philip has joined 24 other members of the Royal Family lying in the vault under St George's Chapel. His body will remain there until transferred by lift upstairs to a side chapel when the Queen dies. 

Then the devoted couple can be laid together – in the same final resting place as her father, George VI, her mother and with the ashes of the Queen's sister, Princess Margaret.The Royal Vault is 70ft long and 28ft wide – with space for 32 bodies along two sides and 12 in the middle. 

The vault was built in 1810 and George III was the first king to be interred there, in 1820. 

Many Royals were placed elsewhere in the chapel before the vault was created, and many have lain to rest here since, before being moved.

Prince Philip has joined 24 other members of the Royal Family lying in the vault under St George’s Chapel. His body will remain there until transferred by lift upstairs to a side chapel when the Queen dies

Prince Philip has joined 24 other members of the Royal Family lying in the vault under St George's Chapel. His body will remain there until transferred by lift upstairs to a side chapel when the Queen dies

Coffin lowered underground by an electric lift

Massed military bands stood still as the Duke of Edinburgh's coffin past by in a Land Rover that he had built himself

Massed military bands stood still as the Duke of Edinburgh's coffin past by in a Land Rover that he had built himself 

The Foot Guards Band are seen marching ahead of the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle

The Foot Guards Band are seen marching ahead of the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle

Members of the military march ahead of the funeral service at Prince Philip's Windsor home

Members of the military march ahead of the funeral service at Prince Philip's Windsor home

The detachments of service personnel from the military units the duke had a special relationship assembled on the green of the castle's quadrangle - while lining its edge are troops from the Household Cavalry and the Foot Guards

The detachments of service personnel from the military units the duke had a special relationship assembled on the green of the castle's quadrangle - while lining its edge are troops from the Household Cavalry and the Foot Guards

Pall bearers carrying Prince Philip's coffin of the Duke of Edinburgh into St George's Chapel

Pall bearers carrying Prince Philip's coffin of the Duke of Edinburgh into St George's Chapel

The Chapel's black and white marble floor tiles have a rectangular section in front of the communion table which opens up to allow an electric lift to lower funeral plinths into the Royal Vault. 

Yesterday's procedure was a repeat of what happened at George V's 1936 funeral – attended by the nine-year-old future Queen.She held her mother's hand during the funeral procession up the Chapel steps, before watching her grandfather's coffin descend 16ft to the vault.

England's only executed monarch 

After his execution in 1649, Charles I's remains were hastily placed in a previously built Windsor vault. The hope was to make it more difficult for pilgrims to pay homage at the 'martyred' king's grave.

The duke's coffin could be seen draped with his personal standard, which pays tribute to his birth heritage as a Prince of Greece and Denmark, his family name and his Edinburgh title

The duke's coffin could be seen draped with his personal standard, which pays tribute to his birth heritage as a Prince of Greece and Denmark, his family name and his Edinburgh title 

Prince Philip's coffin has emerged from Windsor Castle as the Royal Family joined the Queen in mourning her husband at his funeral

Prince Philip's coffin has emerged from Windsor Castle as the Royal Family joined the Queen in mourning her husband at his funeral

The Duke of Edinburgh's casket was covered in his personal standard and carried his sword, naval cap and a wreath of flowers as masked pallbearers carried his coffin onto his extraordinary self-designed Land Rover hearse

The Duke of Edinburgh's casket was covered in his personal standard and carried his sword, naval cap and a wreath of flowers as masked pallbearers carried his coffin onto his extraordinary self-designed Land Rover hearse

Prince Philip's coffin is loaded onto the Land Rover during his funeral service at Windsor Castle this afternoon

Prince Philip's coffin is loaded onto the Land Rover during his funeral service at Windsor Castle this afternoon 

Prince Charles looked griefstricken as he followed his father on the final journey to church

Prince Charles looked griefstricken as he followed his father on the final journey to church

Give me a light into the unknown 

Engraved on a plaque on the gates of a side chapel are the words of a poem quoted by the Queen's father, George VI, in his 1939 Christmas Day broadcast. 

As encouragement to a country at war with Nazi Germany, he read: 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.'

Site Henry VIII chose for his third wife 

Jane Seymour, Henry VIII's only wife to give birth to a legitimate male heir, was buried here in 1537, followed by the king himself, ten years later in 1547. 

His body had lain in state in Whitehall – embalmed with spices, encased in lead (weighing more than half a ton) and surrounded by burning tapers.

Poignant advice: Live and die well 

In the Chapel Library is a 16th Century book titled The Craft To Live Well And To Die Well – a medieval 'how to' on leading a good Christian life and ensuring the fate of your soul after your death.

It could have been written especially for Prince Philip, and says: 

A man's life is but a blast of wind

And in a thought departed and gone

Wife, child and goods you must leave behind

Today a man, tomorrow none. 

The Duke of Edinburgh's coffin, covered with his Personal Standard, is carried on the purpose built Land Rover Defender followed by the Princess Royal, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Duke of Cambridge, Peter Phillips, the Duke of Sussex, the Earl of Snowdon and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence

The Duke of Edinburgh's coffin, covered with his Personal Standard, is carried on the purpose built Land Rover Defender followed by the Princess Royal, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Duke of Cambridge, Peter Phillips, the Duke of Sussex, the Earl of Snowdon and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence

The Duke of Edinburgh's coffin, covered with his Personal Standard, is carried into St George's Chapel

The Duke of Edinburgh's coffin, covered with his Personal Standard, is carried into St George's Chapel

Pallbearers of the Royal Marines carry the coffin at the West Steps of St George's Chapel

Pallbearers of the Royal Marines carry the coffin at the West Steps of St George's Chapel

Members of the Royal Family walk behind the Land Rover hearse carrying Prince Philip's coffin

Members of the Royal Family walk behind the Land Rover hearse carrying Prince Philip's coffin

Prince Philip's coffin carried by pallbearers from the armed forces on an extraordinary day of pomp and ceremony

Prince Philip's coffin carried by pallbearers from the armed forces on an extraordinary day of pomp and ceremony

The coffin is carried up the world famous steps of St George's Chapel on its final journey

The coffin is carried up the world famous steps of St George's Chapel on its final journey

St George's Chapel, the scene of Harry and Meghan's wedding and other happier occasions, contained only 30 guests for the Duke's funeral

St George's Chapel, the scene of Harry and Meghan's wedding and other happier occasions, contained only 30 guests for the Duke's funeral

Philip's coffin had his standard, navy cap and a sword given to him by the Queen's father when they married 73 years ago

Philip's coffin had his standard, navy cap and a sword given to him by the Queen's father when they married 73 years ago

Philip's coffin was carried on a custom-built Land Rover Defender hearse designed by the duke and modified over 16 years

Philip's coffin was carried on a custom-built Land Rover Defender hearse designed by the duke and modified over 16 years

 

Moment Prince Philip's coffin is lowered into 200-year-old vault below St George's Chapel before he is moved to King George VI Memorial Chapel when the Queen dies 

Prince Philip's coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault at the end of his televised funeral service today.

The Duke of Edinburgh's coffin was interred by electric motor beneath the floor of the quire at St George's Chapel in Windsor as the Dean of Windsor delivered his commendation.

While the lowering of the coffin normally takes place in private, the poignant moment was broadcast in front of millions of viewers in a historic first for the royal family.   

The duke is now the 25th Royal in the 200-year-old vault hidden beneath St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.The Dean of Windsor delivered the Duke of Edinburgh's commendation as his coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault

The Dean of Windsor delivered the Duke of Edinburgh's commendation as his coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault 

Members of the royal family watched as Prince Philip's coffin was interred by electric motor beneath the floor of the quire at St George's Chapel in Windsor

Members of the royal family watched as Prince Philip's coffin was interred by electric motor beneath the floor of the quire at St George's Chapel in Windsor

As his coffin was lowered beneath the chapel floor on a catafalque, the duke's styles and titles were read out in full - including His Royal Highness, Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich.

Royal Marine buglers sounded 'Action Stations,' an alarm that alerts sailors to prepare for battle, as Prince Philip's coffin, which was draped in his personal standard and carried his sword and naval cap, was lowered into the Royal Vault.

The inclusion of the naval call to arms, after the traditional bugle call of 'The Last Post,' was a personal request from the duke.   

Ahead of Prince Philip's funeral, Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine, said the televised moment would be a 'unique in British royal history'.

He said: 'I think it will be unique in British royal history if the public get to see this on television.

'Clearly it's an intimate moment, usually only witnessed by the royal family.'I think it will be regarded as too private. I think it is the sort of thing you might see at funerals in European countries, but not in Britain.'

The Duke of Edinburgh, who died last Friday aged 99, will join a range of kings and queens behind a set of iron gates around 16ft underground.

Among the notables already there include George III, George IV, George V of Hanover and William IV.

Others who are also buried there are Queen Victoria's father Prince Edward, George III's wife Queen Charlotte and Queen Mary's grandfather Prince Adolphus.

His coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault at around 3pm and will stay there until the Queen dies.

When Her Majesty's time comes, they will join George VI and Queen Elizabeth in the King George VI Memorial Chapel.

The Duke of Edinburgh, who died last Friday aged 99, will join a range of kings and queens behind a set of iron gates around 16ft underground

The Duke of Edinburgh, who died last Friday aged 99, will join a range of kings and queens behind a set of iron gates around 16ft underground

Others who are also buried there are Queen Victoria's father Prince Edward, George III's wife Queen Charlotte and Queen Mary's grandfather Prince Adolphus

Others who are also buried there are Queen Victoria's father Prince Edward, George III's wife Queen Charlotte and Queen Mary's grandfather Prince Adolphus

When Her Majesty's time comes, they will join George VI and Queen Elizabeth in the King George VI Memorial Chapel (pictured)

When Her Majesty's time comes, they will join George VI and Queen Elizabeth in the King George VI Memorial Chapel (pictured)

The Duke of Edinburgh (pictured in 2014) was buried on Saturday afternoon at around 3pm

The Duke of Edinburgh (pictured in 2014) was buried on Saturday afternoon at around 3pm

Action Stations played by Royal Marines at Prince Philip's funeral
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Who are the other 24 buried in the royal vault below St George's Chapel?

  1. Princess Amelia, daughter of George III (d.1810)
  2. Princess Augusta, Duchess of Brunswick, sister of George III (d.1813)
  3. Stillborn son of Princess Charlotte(d. 1817)
  4. Princess Charlotte (daughter of George IV) (d.1817)
  5. Queen Charlotte, wife of George III (d.1818)
  6. Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, father of Queen Victoria (d.1820)
  7. King George III (d.1820)
  8. Prince Alfred, son of George III (d.1782, placed in vault 1820)
  9. Prince Octavius, son of George III (d.1783, placed in vault 1820)
  10. Princess Elizabeth, daughter of William IV (d.1821)
  11. Prince Frederick, Duke of York (d.1827)
  12. King George IV (d.1830)
  13. Still-born daughter of Prince Ernest Augustus, son of George III (d.1818)
  14. King William IV (d.1837)
  15. Princess Sophia, daughter of George III (d.1840)
  16. Queen Adelaide, wife of William IV (d.1849)
  17. Prince Frederick of Schleswig-Holstein, son of Princess Christian (d.1876)
  18. King George V of Hanover (d.1878)
  19. Victoria von Pawel Rammingen, daughter of Princess Frederica of Hanover (d.1881)
  20. Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck, mother of Queen Mary (d.1897)
  21. Prince Francis, Duke of Teck, father of Queen Mary (d.1900)
  22. Princess Frederika of Hanover (d.1926)
  23. Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, grandfather of Queen Mary (d.1850, placed in vault 1930)
  24. Princess Augusta, Duchess of Cambridge, grandmother of Queen Mary (d.1889, placed in vault 1930)

This was erected between 1968 and 1969 and is situated next to the north quire aisle in the building.

Near there is a slab of black-and-white diamond-shaped stones which is taken away for funerals to gain access to a lift.

Royals' coffins are taken down the shaft for about 16ft before going down a corridor and set down in the vault behind iron gates.

Earlier monarchs were laid to rest in Westminster Abbey, where they still lie in a royal vault under the Henry VII Chapel.

But it quickly filled up and George III was forced to commission a new one under the Albert Memorial Chapel in Windsor in 1810.

His daughter Princess Amelia, who died aged 27 that year, was placed in a temporary vault until the new one was ready.

She was followed seven years later by Princess Charlotte and her child before George III and his son the Duke of Kent joined them in 1820.

By this time there were 12 low tombs in the vault that were around 18 inches high and a few feet across.

Monarchs and their wives went in the centre and there was more shelving for others on York stone.

Next came George IV in 1830, then William IV in 1937, Queen Adelaide in 1849 and George V of Hanover in 1878.

The latter was Queen Victoria's cousin and ended up in the vault because Hanover did not want him.

Some royals chose to spend time in the vault to reflect on the life of their loved one.

After George III's daughter Princess Augusta Sophia was put there in 1840, it was reported: 'We understand that in the course of yesterday His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge and his son Prince George descended into the royal vault, and stayed there some time contemplating the remains of their deceased relatives.'

This process was eased when a stone staircase was put in behind the altar in about 1837.

Victoria is understood to have frequently gone in after the Duke of Albany died in 1884 - and was followed by others.

He stayed there until he was transferred to the Albert Memorial Chapel in the summer of 1885.

After he brother prince Francis of Teck died in 1911, Queen Mary said: ''The vault looks very nice now, and is well lighted and arranged. 

'The King [Edward VII] lies on the stone in the centre for the present.'

But the storage problem reemerged in towards the end of the 1920s, with only about 24 slots left.

Queen Elizabeth's grandfather George V used land next to Victoria's Mausoleum at Frogmore in Windsor to build the Royal Burial Ground in 1928.

This has become the main place to bury royals, with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester among those there.

George V, George VI and Queen Mary went in the royal vault while George VI placed in his special chapel in 1969.

Prince Philip's mother Princess Alice of Battenberg, who was born at Windsor Castle in 1885, also went in when she died in 1969.

The Duke of Edinburgh will join them all on Saturday afternoon before being moved to the King George VI Memorial Chapel when the Queen dies.

The bodies of her parents, George VI and the Queen Mother, as well as the ashes of her sister, Princess Margaret, are interred here. 

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