Royal Wedding 2018: Where is Windsor Castle? When was it built? Why did Prince Harry and Meghan Markle choose it?

A view from the Round Tower at Windsor Castle of guests arriving
PA Wire/PA Images
Martin Coulter19 May 2018

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were getting married today at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

But where is it? And why did Prince Harry and Ms Markle choose it as the venue for their nuptials?

Read below as we explain everything you need to know about this year's royal wedding venue.

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Where is Windsor Castle? Where is St George's Chapel?

St George's Chapel sits in the grounds of Windsor Castle, in Berkshire, where the Queen and husband Prince Philip live for most of the year.

The Queen and Prince Philip live at Windsor Castle most of the year (Getty)
Getty Images

The original castle was built in the 11th century after the Norman invasion of England by William the Conqueror.

Since the time of Henry I, it has been used by the reigning monarch and is the longest-occupied palace in Europe.

The chapel is the same place Harry was christened shortly after he was born in 1984. It is also a short walk from Eton College, where Harry went to school.

How old is St George's Chapel?

Believed to have been built in the 14th century by King Edward III and began extensive enlargement in the late 15th century.

Over the years, the chapel has served as the site of many royal special occasions - including a host of weddings and christenings.

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Prince Charles and Camilla had their televised blessing there in 2005, while it offers the couple a more low key venue than Westminster Abbey - where Prince William and Kate Middleton wed.

Why did Harry and Meghan choose it as their wedding venue?

In a statement issued immediately after the venue was announced, the pair said it is a "very special place for Prince Harry and he and Ms Markle have regularly spent time there over the last year and a half".

The pair also expressed their thanks to the Queen for allowing them to use the chapel for their wedding.

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