It is a striking and unexpected addition to a simple ledger stone that marks the resting place of two Monarchs united by family and history.
The gravestone of King George VI and his elder daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, bears just one simple adornment – a Garter Star
It is instantly recognisable on the black marble slab that marks their tombs in the King George VI Memorial Chapel at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor.
The Garter Star is one of the symbols of the Order of the Garter, the oldest and most senior order of chivalry in the country. The Monarch is always the Sovereign of the Order of the Garter. Their mantle always bears the star on its left shoulder while those of other members of the Order bear a heraldic shield of St. George’s Cross.
The star has a link, too, to a king called Charles. It was introduced by King Charles I and features the heraldic shield of St. George’s Cross surrounded by the Garter and the Order’s famous motto, Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense, translated as ‘evil be to he who thinks evil of it’.
The star itself has eight points made up of rays. The points at the top, bottom, left and right are longer than the intermediary ones.
The tombstone itself is simple, bearing just the names and dates of those buried beneath it. It is the final resting place of King George VI, his wife, Queen Elizabeth, their elder daughter, Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip. The star is placed between two groups of names. The stone shows ‘George VI, 1895 – 1952, Elizabeth, 1900 – 2002’ and then the star, followed by ‘Elizabeth II, 1926 – 2022, Philip, 1921 – 2021’.
The first image of the grave showed it surrounded by the flowers sent by members of Her Late Majesty’s family including the bright wreath of red and pink flowers, cut from the gardens of some of her favourite homes, and topped by a card that read ‘Charles R’. Other tributes are in white and blue flowers, providing a nod to the colours of the union flag.
Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8th 2022 at Balmoral. The State Funeral for Her Late Majesty took place on September 19th 2022 at Westminster Abbey, followed by a Service of Committal at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor. A private burial took place at the King George VI Memorial Chapel that same evening.
