St James Palace, Chapel Royal

St James Palace on Pall Mall was built by Henry VIII in 1531 on the site of a former lepers’ hospital. While the official home of the sovereign is now Buckingham Palace, the royal court is still known as the Court of St James. The Chapel Royal dates partly to the sixteenth century when the palace was built; its beautiful ceiling is said to have been designed by Holbein in 1540. It has a tradition of fine music, which today is provided by the private choir of the sovereign, composed of six men and ten boys. Famous organists have included Orlando Gibbons and Purcell. At Epiphany (6 January) the service is conducted by the bishop of London, and an offering of gold, frankincense and myrrh is made on behalf of the sovereign. This has been the site of several royal marriages, including those of William III and Mary II (1677), Queen Anne (1683), George IV (1795), Queen Victoria (1840) and George V (1893). Visitors may attend services in the Chapel Royal if there is no service in the Queen’s Chapel nearby.