Name: The Chapel Royal
Start: 2023-07-06T12:00
End: 2033-07-06T12:00
Location: Hampton Court Palace

A captivating chapel in continuous use for over 450 years

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When

Open Wednesday - Saturday

10:00 - 16:00

Ticketing information

Before booking your ticket, please note this is a working chapel which closes for religious services on Sundays and other holy days, and is therefore subject to short-notice closures. Please check the palace opening hours calendar for the day of your visit.

Christmas services are also open to visitors.

Included in palace admission (Members go free)

Buy Hampton Court Palace tickets

Things to see

Outstandingly rich, colourful and layered with history, the chapel's vaulted ceiling was installed by Henry VIII in the 1530s. It is the grand culmination of Tudor opulence at Hampton Court Palace.

In 1710, Queen Anne commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to remodel the interior of the chapel.

The royal family would never sit in the main body of the church. Kings and queens always used a private pew on first-floor level which looks down upon the main body of the chapel. Today, a single central room, like a box at an opera, is reserved for the monarch.

Catherine Howard and the accusations of adultery

It was here in the chapel, in 1540, that Archbishop Cranmer handed Henry VIII a letter outlining various accusations against the King’s new wife, Catherine Howard.

Catherine was accused of unchaste behaviour before her marriage. Henry VIII had been besotted with his young wife, which is why he turned against her all the more viciously. Catherine was executed at the Tower of London soon afterwards.

A view of King Henry VIII's re-created Crown of State

Henry VIII's Crown

An accurate replica of the crown worn by Henry VIII is on display in the Royal Pew of the Chapel Royal, where Henry himself would have sat wearing it.

While the Royal Pew normally opens Wednesday to Saturday, it may close on short notice due to Chapel services.

View Henry's Crown

Visit the Chapel Royal

Religious services at the Chapel Royal

You are welcome to attend a religious service here. You do not require a palace admission ticket to attend a religious service.

Christmas services

The following Christmas services will be open to the public during the following dates:

Nine Lessons & Carols - Sunday 21 December at 15:30 and 18:00

Entry to the services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is via Tennis Court Lane. Congregation will be permitted entry to the Chapel at the following times:

Midnight Mass of the Nativity - Wednesday 24 December at 23:00
Christmas Day Sung Eucharist - Thursday 25 December at 11:00

Please note Hampton Court Palace is closed on 24 and 25 December. During this period, only entry to the Chapel Royal for Christmas services listed above are available to visitors.

See the official Chapel Royal website for further information and service times throughout the festive season and the rest of the year.